438 REPORT— 1901. 



One broken flake (No. 1 3) shows a very delicate serration along one edge, 

 forming a finely toothed saw. The serration evidently extended along 

 the portion of the flake broken away. This saw must have been intended 

 for delicate work only. 



In addition to the implements already referred to, there are several 

 flint flakes showing well marked bulbs of percussion, a few with secondary 

 chipping at the edge ; also some which are doubtfully worked ; and a 

 certain number of flints were picked up and kept, which prove on inspec- 

 tion to exhibit natural fractures only, and these I have rejected. Mr. Gray 

 very rightly submitted these rather than run any risk of overlooking 

 examples which might possibly betray human agency, however slight. 



The finding of six large flakes (No. 17) together is interesting, It is 

 evident that these could not have come by accident into the position in 

 which they were found, and it is virtually certain that they were placed 

 by hand uj^on the small ledge in the side of the northern causeway. The 

 flakes are of considerable size and weight, and of fine quality black flint 

 which has been weathered white to a considerable depth. It is difficult 

 to determine the use for which they were intended. They are irregular 

 in outline and surface, though their edges are still sharp and undamaged. 

 It is possible that such heavy flakes may have been intended to be used 

 as digging tools, for which purpose they would be not badly adapted ; 

 but no used examples are as yet forthcoming from the site, and the 

 suggestion is merely conjectural. They may have been purposely covered 

 over at the time for concealment, and forgotten, or they may have been 

 accidentally covered by loose earth falling from the causeway on to the 

 ledge. In either case they have remained as originally placed. 



It is greatly to be hoped, if further excavations are undertaken, that 

 the yield of implements may be greater, and that the examples may 

 present more definite features, so that the negative evidence afl^orded by 

 the absence of metal, if it continues to hold good, may be backed by 

 positive evidence of Neolithic date from the nature of the implements 

 discovered. For the negative evidence to be completely convincing, moie 

 extensive exploration is necessary, and the very suggestive nature of the 

 positive results so far obtained by Mr. Gray renders it highly probable 

 that further examination may yield results of great importance. 



One point to which I may perhaps be allowed to refer here arises out 

 of the excavation of the ditch to its full depth. The bed-rock bottom 

 presents a very rough and uneven surface, and there does not appear to 

 have been any definite attempts to create a level surface along the ditch 

 bottom by filling in the hollows and levelling in other ways. It is of 

 importance to note this, as it precludes the idea that the fosse itself may 

 have been used for processional or other like purposes. The steepness of 

 the causeway sides forming the ends of the fosse also points towards the 

 same conclusion as regards this matter. 



'^O" 



Report on the Human Skeleton found in the Stone Circle of Arbor Low 

 in 1901. By J. G. Gap.son, M.D. 



The skeleton found by Mr. Gray near the centre of the Stone Circle of 

 Arbor Low in August 1901 is that of an adult male. The bones are not 

 in a good condition as regards preservation ; hence it has not been pos- 

 sible to ascertain from them the probable stature of the individual more 

 nearly than has already been done by Mr. Gray in bis report. The upper 



