EXCAVATIONS AT MAUMBURY RINGS. 95 



was made half-way through the Great Bank on the N.N.W. 

 from the outside of the Rings (Plate V.). In both these 

 cuttings the old turf line was found to be clearly defined at a 

 depth of 15ft. below the crest of the bank, and in Cutting 

 XXXII. it was slightly higher than the general level of the 

 field on the N.W. at the present day. As a trench appar- 

 ently of late date was found at the foot of the bank in 

 Cutting XXXII. (Plate V.), two small excavations were 

 made on the N. and E.N.E. (Cuttings XXXIV. and 

 XXXV., Plate I.) to ascertain if this trench continued 

 round the earthwork. It was clearly defined in both these 

 places. 



There is strong negative evidence that the Great Bank is 

 of the same date as the shafts. The few relics found in the 

 two cuttings are such as have been obtained in the shafts, 

 and nothing which could be definitely assigned to the Bronze 

 Age, or the Late -Celtic or Roman period, was revealed in 

 this part of the investigations. Not a single object was 

 obtained from the actual surface of the old turf, but in 

 Cutting XXX. an antler pick (No. 395), of the same type as 

 those found in the shafts, was uncovered about 1ft. above the 

 original surface ; and in Cutting XXXII. an antler rake 

 (No. 412) was obtained within 0'75ft. of the old surface, 

 and a burr and lower part of a red-deer antler (No. 394) only 

 a foot above the same level. Fragments of antler were 

 met with in two other positions in the body of the earthwork, 

 and a piece of carved chalk of circular section (No. 409), 

 similar to other carvings of the same character found in the 

 shafts. 



As long intervals have occurred between our excavations, 

 and as these were filled in after each season's work, it has 

 been no easy matter to determine whether or not the solid 

 chalk arena was cut down to a dead level ; but perfect 

 accuracy does not appear to have been achieved. It is now 

 found that the greatest deviation from the horizontal (as 

 ascertained from the parts excavated) is from the S. corner of 

 Cutting XX. to the E. end of Cutting II. Extension (Plate I.), 



