By J. W. Brooke and B, Howard Cunnington, F.S.A. Scot. 169 
doubtless having originally formed part of the steining of the well. 
Local inhabitants told us that the water in the neighbouring 
springs would by the end of September be several feet lower than 
at present, so we decided to cover over the mouth of the well with 
planks and leave it until then. During the day several visitors 
inspected the work and “ finds,’ amongst whom were the Rev. C. 
W. Hony, of Bishops Cannings, and Mr. Napier, agent for the 
estate. After leaving off work for the day we noticed what appears 
_ to be another well, about 200 yards eastward of the one upon which 
| we were engaged. This, including the well by the roadside at the 
foot of Silbury Hill, and another one pointed out by Mr. Kemm, of 
Avebury, on the eastern side of Silbury Hill, makes five within a 
radius of about 150 yards. 
_ Owing to the abnormally dry summer the springs in the neigh- 
_ bourhood were, by the end of September, lower than they had been 
‘known to be during the last fifty years, and consequently, on in- 
 specting the well on October 5th, we found that the water had 
completely subsided. We erected a tripod 17ft. high over the 
- mouth, and by means of pulley-blocks and ropes attached were able 
to bring up eleven large boulders, which, like the others already 
taken out, formed no doubt part of the steining. In spite of most 
inclement weather—heavy rain and hail storms—several visitors 
‘came to see how things were going on. During the day a depth 
of a little over 20ft. was reached, but still no water was found. 
} The next day, in the thick of a south-westerly gale, we resumed 
work, and raised three more large boulders weighing three or four 
_hundredweight each, and after excavating another 2ft. of loose 
rubble we were able, by means of an iron rod to feel what we 
believed to be the bottom. 
_ Three immense sarsen stones, weighing upwards of half-a-ton 
each completely blocked our way, the appliances at hand not being 
‘sufficiently strong to raise them to the surface. A piece of Bath 
stone—apparently part of a pillar—measuring Yin. in diameter and 
about 12in. high, and a few pieces of pottery, were all the “ finds” 
of this day. 
Having obtained efficient pulley appliances we resumed work on 
N 2 
