EXCAVATIONS AT MAUMBURY RINGS. 231 



In uncovering the solid chalk incline further to the S., a 

 sloping wall carefully hewn out of the virgin chalk was revealed 

 for a distance of some 35ft. from the transverse wall (seen clearly 

 in the photograph, Plate II.). The existence of this wall and 

 the fact that the slope was somewhat concave induced us to 

 considerably extend the cutting westwards, and we were 

 rewarded by finding a corresponding wall forming the western 

 boundary of the slightly concave pathway, to follow which a 

 special subsidiary cutting was made to save labour as the track 

 widened, as seen in Plate II. This gangway averaged from wall 

 to wall i aft. wide, enlarging to 14* sft. at its northern termination, 

 where the transverse wall dipped down at a sharp angle to the 

 level of the arena floor, 3'5ft. below. In Plate II. it will be 

 seen that the lo-ft. rod is leaning against a large block of the 

 untouched material resting on the pathway, which, although a 

 disfigurement to the photograph, would have entailed much 

 labour had it been removed. 



The transverse wall and the northern continuation of the 

 boundary walls of the pathway were carefully followed,* resulting 

 in the discovery of a large quadrangular area recessed into the 

 solid chalk of the arena boundary, and outlined by high walls of 

 rock chalk on the S., E., and W., the N. end being open towards 

 the arena, the space enclosed, not truly square, measuring about 

 i3'5ft. from N. to S. and xysft. from E. to W. 



There is every reason to regard this area as the den (cavea f) 

 for impounding the bestice \ during the performances when not 

 required for actual exhibitions and combat, the walled pathway 

 to the south evidently being the track by which the animals were 

 brought into it from outside the amphitheatre. 



* The stratification of the chalk dipped to S.S.E. 

 t According to Lucius. 



J The more savage beasts were slain by the be&tiarii in the amphitheatre, and 

 not in the circus. The number of animals sometimes slaughtered seems almost 

 incredible. 



