222 EXCAVATIONS AT MAUMBURY RINGS. 



which cannot be given here. On the S. edge of the trench, 

 quite on the margin of the digging, a curious hole, " L," was 

 discovered. It was found to be of sexagonal form, its N. side 

 being open to the trench. It was 2'25ft. deep below the chalk 

 floor, and averaged i'8ft. across at top and r4ft. at bottom. 

 Round the sides of the hole large lumps of chalk were placed, 

 the filling in the middle being much finer. Above it a consider- 

 able number of large nodules of flint were observed. Near the 

 top of the hole an iron nail and a piece of rim of Romano-British 

 pottery were found. Its purpose is not known. 



The inner trench appeared to mark the outline of foundations 

 for an inner barrier to the arena, over which the besliarii and 

 others engaged in the sports and combats when hard pressed by 

 the beasts could jump and secrete themselves without distur- 

 bance of the spectators.* Such a barrier is erected in Continental 

 amphitheatres at the present time when they are used for bull 

 fights. The existence of an inner barrier, together with the 

 discovery of a pound, presumably for beasts (to be described 

 later), leaves no doubt in our minds that wild animals were 

 brought to the amphitheatre for the entertainment of the 

 audience. 



The relics collected from this excavation (Cutting XII.) 

 consisted for the most part of common pottery and objects 

 of the Roman period. They include a " third brass " Roman 

 coin, defaced, but probably of Constantius II. (struck before 

 A.D. 350), depth 3'8ft. ; a bronze nail, flat-headed, depth 4'zft. ; 

 an English counter of bronze of the XIV. Century, found at a 

 depth of only 2ft. ; handle of a bronze spoon ; a small flat 

 pebble, perhaps a counter or draughtsman, depth 4' 3 ft. ; a small 

 carnelian bead, figured on p. 229, No. 91 ; a flint hammer-stone, 



* We read of the infuriated bent'uc attempting to break through the railings, 

 chtthri, by which they were separated from the spectators. To guard against 

 this danger Julius Caesar surrounded the arena of the amphitheatre with trenches, 

 eiiripi. 



