65 
escription of the Opening of 2 British 
p pening y 
Awwelling-Dit at Hechhampton. 
By Henry Cunnineton. 
N June 13th, 1884, I had the pleasure of opening an ex- 
ceedingly interesting British dwelling-pit, on the farm 
occupied by Mr. Wentworth, at Beckhampton. 
The pit is situated almost on the top of the hill, in the middle of 
the trackway leading from Mr. Wentworth’s house to his farm- 
buildings on the down. 
The curiosity of those who travelled on the road has often been 
excited by the peculiarly hollow sound occasioned by either riding 
or driving over the spot. 
This dwelling was found to consist of two circular pits sunk in 
the clear firm chalk, the one adjoining and intersecting the other. 
- The depth of the large pit is 5ft. 8in.; the diameter 5ft. 
The depth of the smaller one is 4ft. 8in., and about 4ft. in 
diameter, being a foot less deep than the other. 
The smaller pit forms a seat on which the occupant of the dwelling 
could conveniently sit, as in a chair, while superintending the cooking 
or other domestic operations. 
Several objects of antiquarian interest were found in this excava- 
tion. Amongst them may be mentioned a curious bone implement 
or ornament; a well-shaped spindle whorl, cut out of chalk ; a chalk 
loom weight; two earthen cooking vessels, which appeared to have 
been much used. Both of these were broken, but, as most of the 
pieces of one have been found, it has been sufficiently restored to 
show its size and shape, &e. 
_ Besides these were the following articles, showing that the oc- 
Eepation had been of comparatively recent date :—a fragment of 
pseudo-Samian ware, several pieces of Roman pottery, and iron 
nile, &e. 
The bones of animals were only those of sheep, ox, and rabbit. 
VOL, XXIII.—NO. LXVI. B 
