THE RITUAL OF RARROAVS AND CIRCLES. 247 



which these structures were erected, but actually in some cases, 

 restored the buildings. He was of opinion that the worship was 

 akin to that of Baal or Moloch." 



In 1897, Mr. Arthur Evans and Mr. Myers visited these 

 " Senams," as the trilithons are called, and came to certain con- 

 clusions which were expounded by the latter to the Society of 

 Antiquaries, on loth January, 1899. He said "the Tripolitan 

 Senams, with the channelled and morticed stones which accom- 

 pany them are oil presses of a type which may have been intro- 

 duced in pre- Roman times, but which cannot be shown to have 

 developed anywhere earlier than the fourth or third century B.C."* 



Perhaps reference should be made to the prostrate block at 

 Stonehenge, which lies between the Friar's-heel and the circles. 

 Mr. Lukis says, this, which "has received the preposterous 

 appellation of ' the slaughtering stone ' is a dressed sarsen, and 

 consequently belongs to the monument. It is 22ft. in length and 

 resembles, in form and dimensions the uprights of the outer circle, 

 but it does not possess tenons on its squared end. That it originally 

 stood erect has been proved by the discovery of the excavation 

 which it occupied, and then it must have entirely concealed the 

 Friar's-heel from persons standing in front of the central trilithon."f 



And now, in conclusion it may be suggested that horizontal 

 stones in other circles were depositories on which was laid the 

 dead body, perhaps loosely fastened in a case of wicker-work, to 

 await the disappearance of the flesh ; that circles in general, 

 whether of earth or of stone, were secure enclosures for a 

 primary disposal of the dead, by exposure or by a shallow 

 inhumation ; and that if Stonehenge, and other structures, were 

 used for astrological divination, at any rate one purpose Avas the 

 discovery of auspicious seasons for the secondary disposal, which 

 was accompanied with imposing and prolonged processional 

 ceremonies, when clans gathered and priests administered, 

 inspired by the hope of a life that was to come. 



* Proc. Soc. Autiq. XVII. 293. 

 t Proc. Soc. Antiq. IX. 14S. 



