228 EXCAVATIONS AT MAUMBURY RINGS. 



within the arena the solid chalk, i.e., the level of the arena floor, 

 was reached at a depth of 8'5ft. from the surface, and this level 

 was traced southwards towards the embankment for a distance of 

 zo'jft. At this point, on the line of section, a transverse chalk 

 wall, nearly vertical and 3'sft. high, was met with. To this wall 

 we shall revert in the next chapter. From its top the excavated 

 solid chalk was followed southward, rising gradually at an angle 

 of about 1 6 for a distance of 34ft. (horizontal measurement), 

 and therefrom almost level to the end of the cutting on the 

 S.S.W., the highest point of the solid chalk (apparently the 

 natural level of the rock chalk) being reached at a depth of 

 i3'3ft. below the crest of the bank. 



Throughout the length of this cutting, at a higher level than 

 the solid chalk, rising at an angle of only 8 in the N. half, then 

 changing to an angle of 4, and finally level to the end of the 

 cutting, a most distinct seam of rich dark mould (clearly seen in 

 the photograph, Plate II.), o'6ft. thick, occurred, on and in 

 which large quantities of XVII. Century glazed shards of pottery 

 (including several of the " Bellarmine " type) were found, 

 whereas between it and the solid chalk slope beneath nothing 

 but relics of the Roman period were discovered. 



Besides the earthenware recovered from the seam of dark 

 mould, which doubtless represented an old turf line, a XVII. 

 Century knife (No. 82) was found and part of the handle of 

 another (No. 125), both handles being of bone and ornamented 

 with the dot-and-circle pattern ; also two pieces of a brass 

 thimble. 



The relics found between the dark seam and the chalk slope 

 below included nothing of post-Roman date. The most interest- 

 ing " finds " were : A " third brass " coin of the Constantine 

 period, struck about A.D. 335 ; an antler of a slain red-deer, 

 apparently the remains of a pick ; and a penannular brooch of 

 bronze, figured in the accompanying illustration (No. 98). The 

 pick was found in the chalk rubble (ift. above the solid chalk) 

 which had accumulated just after the disuse of the place in 

 Roman times. It is similar to those found in the prehistoric 



