EXCAVATIONS At MAUMBURY RINGS. 265 



Dealing with the W. half first, it was found that the chalk floor 

 was practically level, but at Hole IV. there was a sudden drop in 

 the floor of about - 6ft. towards the S., the reason for which was 

 unaccountable. In working in proximity to the limestone before 

 mentioned a group of stones was found to exist, consisting of twelve 

 large slabs measuring from Sin. to 2oin. long and averaging 3m. 

 thick. In plan they occupied an almost circular area, 2'6ft. in 

 diameter. A broad oval depression, 2ft. by i'8ft. and 'yft. deep, 

 in the chalk was found in a central position beneath the group. 

 With the slabs and below them were found four iron nails, 

 chippings of red tile, six flint chippings, a piece of ferruginous 

 sandstone, &c. The significance of this mutilated group of 

 stones is not yet understood. To the N.N.E. two small holes in 

 the chalk floor were uncovered, No. IV. being basin-shaped and 

 shallow, and No. III. of a flattened oval outline, similar to 

 Hole V. 



Still further to the E., a line of six post-holes was revealed, 

 practically in a straight line from N.N.E. to S.S.W., and covering 

 a distance of i8ft., the intervening spaces varying from 2'6ft. to 

 3'4ft. There were clear indications that a trench, 1*5 ft. wide and 

 i 'aft. deep, had been dug into the chalk floor for the reception of 

 the posts, which were packed round with rammed chalk. 

 Measurements of all the holes have been preserved. The S. stake- 

 hole was placed in the filling of a circular pit possibly of earlier 

 date. This hollow was in the shape of an inverted cone, diameter 

 3ft. at the mouth, and 3' 3ft. below the chalk floor. The pit 

 proper contained chalk rubble only, but in the post-hole were 

 found traces of charred oak (identified by Mr. Clement Reid, 

 F.R.S., and probably the remains of the stake which once filled 

 the hole), and twelve iron nails and fragments, some having 

 distinct traces of wood attached to them. The presence of iron 

 has an important bearing on the age of the wooden barrier or 

 palisade which existed here. Traces of rough wooden piles 

 supported in a chalk trench by nodules of flint, were found in 

 Wor Barrow (long-barrow), Handley, Dorset. Post-holes re- 

 sembling those at Maumbury, and of about the same diameter, 



