94 EXCAVATIONS AT MAUMBUBY RINGS. 



II. SOME GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. 



During the season the investigation of the Well (Cutting 

 XXXIII.), the N.W. margin of which had been found at the 

 close of the excavations in 1912, was completed (Plate III., 

 A). It appeared to have been sunk in the XVII. Century 

 by the Parliamentarians, who, fearing the loss of their 

 usual water supply, evidently decided to sink a well 

 inside the earthwork. It was never finished, and it is 

 probable that circumstances did not necessitate its com- 

 pletion. 



We had hoped that time would have permitted us to open 

 up the arena-wall and the inner and outer trenches on the 

 E. side, from the " transverse axis " to the E. end of Cutting 

 II. Extension near the N. Entrance. But the excavation of 

 Cutting XXX. (Plate I.) entailed such an enormous amount 

 of labour that only a comparatively small digging (No. XXXI.) 

 could be made adjoining Cutting II. Extension, the inter- 

 mediate ground, left untouched, covering a maximum length 

 of 38-75ft. 



The usual structural features were revealed in Cuttings 

 XXX. and XXXI., the former digging including the removal 

 of the large quantity of material which filled an enclosure 

 recessed into the arena-wall an area of similar dimensions 

 to the corresponding one excavated on the opposite 

 side of the Rings in Cutting XX. (1910). A line of five 

 shafts was also investigated in Cutting XXX. (Plate III., 

 B). All these features will be described in their proper 

 place. 



But, perhaps, the most important work of 1913 was that 

 carried out with a view of ascertaining the date of the Great 

 Bank enclosing the shafts and arena. For this purpose the 

 excavation of Cutting XXX. (Plate IV.) was continued 

 towards the E.S.E. as far as the middle of the crest of the 

 encircling earthwork, and a similar cutting (No. XXXII.) 



