EXCAVATIONS AT MAUMBURY RINGS. 227 



been the subject of so much speculation and discussion. In this 

 part, as it appears at the present day, the basal width of the 

 encircling bank is greatly diminished, and it is ascended from 

 the arena by a much less steep and longer slope than elsewhere. 

 Indeed, the slope up to the crest here is gradual from the middle 

 of the arena, the steepness increasing somewhat towards the top, 

 the general outline and appearance strongly suggesting that it 

 must have been formed by the " tipping " of quantities of 

 material into the arena from above. The lower part of this 

 slope is bounded on either side by the termination of the tapering 

 ends of the E. and W. inner "terraces" (which, from the 

 excavation made into the western one in 1908, appeared to be of 

 XVII. Century date). On still higher ground the slope is 

 bounded on either side by the steeper bank of the original 

 vallum rounding off towards the south. The crest of the slope is 

 represented by a narrow ridge, forming an enlargement of the 

 original vallum, curving outwards towards the south, which in 

 regard to height is continuous with the crest of the great vallum 

 on either side, being about 25^1. above the turf in the middle of 

 the arena. 



The precise purpose for which the slope was raised may never 

 be known exactly ; but the popular tradition that this secondary 

 earthwork was thrown up during the Civil Wars (perhaps for 

 running up guns) when the position was used as a fort * and 

 garrisoned on behalf of the Parliamentary forces to oppose the 

 Earl of Carnarvon's advance from Weymouth, is probably the 

 correct one. 



The results of this year's excavation in our opinion confirmed 

 this popular explanation. Up the slope and over the bank, a 

 cutting (No. XV.), 96ft. long and yft. wide (3'5ft. on either side 

 of the long axis), was marked out for excavation. At the north 



* " A Survey of the Prebend Parsonage and Manor of Ffordington, Oct., 1649," 

 makes mention of "Ye Fort called Mainbry." Several forts are mentioned as 

 having been prepared at Dorchester between July 20, 1642, and June 3, 1643, 

 including " works at the north gate, at the priory, and at JfatttH&ttry." 





including 



