EXCAVATIONS AT MAUMBTJRY RINGS. 253 



obtained, No. 1 being approximately 5ft. 9in., and No. 2, 

 6ft. Sin. 



In relation to the old turf line under the terrace, which 

 gradually rises towards the great embankment, the vertebral 

 column of skeleton No. 1 was only 2in. below the surface, and 

 the legs of both skeletons were Gin. deep ; the top of the 

 remaining skull practically reached the surface of the old 

 turf. Above the skeletons, chiefly over the legs and feet, 

 and within 2in. of the old surface, a number of fragments of 

 slate were found (which Mr. Clement Reid says is not 

 Delabole, but thinks it could be matched exactly in some 

 "of the quarries near the River Camel, a few miles above 

 Padstow) ; also the stem and ward of an iron key, presum- 

 ably of fifteenth-sixteenth century date, and what appear to 

 be part of the beam of a small iron steelyard. A small iron 

 clasp-knife (apparently sixteenth-seventeenth century) was 

 found over the right tibia of skeleton No. 1, and about 

 l|in. below the surface of the old turf. 



It is evident, therefore, that although these skeletons are 

 of comparatively late date, judging from their position and 

 the associated relics, they were deposited in this position 

 before the terrace was thrown up, i.e., before the middle of 

 the seventeenth century.* 



We have yet to mention the line of rectangular post-holes at 

 the foot of the arena-wall, which, for the most part, was left 

 undisturbed ; but a few of them were dug out to reveal the 

 outline of the trench cut into the solid rock-chalk to receive 

 them ; it was about T2ft. wide at top and I 1 5ft. deep. The 



* Slate was used in the locality of its origin before Christ, British graves 

 having been found lined with irregular slabs of slate. It is not known, however, 

 when slates were first exported from Cornwall, but no doubt before the seven- 

 teenth century. Richard Carew in "The Survey of Cornwall." 1002 (p. 6), 

 says : " This slate is in substance thinne, in colour faire, in waight light, 

 in lasting strong, and generally carrieth so good regard, as (besides the supplie 

 for home provision ) great store is yeerely conveied by shipping both to other 

 parts of the Realme, and also beyond tho Seas, into Britajne and Netherland." 



