EXCAVATIONS AT MAUMBURY RINGS. 91 



surface ; and at 6ft. an iron spike-nail (No. 277), length 

 7|ins., having a rather modern appearance. 



The last excavation made in this connection was Cutting 

 XXIX., irregular in outline, its N.N.E. margin being only 

 a few feet from Cutting XXVIII. Here we found the termina- 

 tion of the New Ditch a foot or two under the exterior slope 

 of the great embankment (see Plan). The bottom, having 

 an increased average width of 2ft., was reached 6ft. below the 

 surface. At the end of the ditch and at the W.S.W. corner 

 of the cutting, a trench (width 3ft. at bottom) was found to 

 join the larger ditch at a higher level, and it appeared to 

 extend in a W. direction. Here our investigations had to cease. 



Scattered on the bottom of Cutting XXIX. was found the 

 greater part of a thin glazed earthenware vessel (No. 295), 

 ornamented with horizontal ribbings and a wave pattern. 

 It is a kind of albarello, height SJins., of a form often seen in 

 Lambeth delft. It is referable to the middle of the XVII. 

 Century. The iron harness-ring (No. 304) found on the 

 bottom of the side trench has a modern appearance. 



General Description of the New Ditch. — This ditch, measured 

 along the middle, was about 95ft. in length. Beginning in 

 Cutting XXII. just outside the N. entrance, it extended in a 

 N.N.W. direction, and after turning to the W.N.W. for a 

 short distance it made, on approaching Cutting XXVI., an 

 abrupt turn towards the S., terminating against the great 

 embankment. It was about 9 ■5ft. wide at the turf level. It 

 was quite evident that it had not been allowed to silt up, but 

 was intentionally filled, and apparently the material was 

 thrown in from the inner side. 



Whatever its purpose, it could never have been used for 

 drainage, as the relative levels of the bottom show. Between 

 the E. end of Cutting XXII. (see Plan) and its W. end there is 

 a fall of 0-58ft., and from the latter point to Cutting XXIII. 

 a fall of only 008ft. Then, between Cutting XXIII. and 

 the N. end of Cutting XXVI. there is a rise of 0-34ft., and in 

 the length of the latter cutting a rise of 1ft. ; in Cutting 

 XXIX. the bottom was at a still higher level. Thus it is seen 



