SE ae a ae os 
ON THE AGE Of STONE CIRCLES. 973 
trotible in training them to the work. ‘lhe thorough invéstigation of 
this splendid monument is of the greatest importance, and it is to be 
hoped that adequate funds may be available. 
The Avebury Excavations, 1909. By H. Si. Gzorar Grav. 
I. Introductory Remarks. 
In the report of the excavations, 1908 (Brit. Assoc. Reports, 1908, 
pp. 401-413), an epitome was given of the existing archeological litera- 
ture on Avebury, having reference to its stone circles, surrounding earth- 
works, and ancient remains in the immediate neighbourhood; and a 
summary representation of the opinions and observations of several 
authorities on Avebury, including Aubrey, Stukeley, Hoare, Crocker, 
W. C. Lukis, Fergusson, and the Revs. A. C. Smith and Bryan King, 
was also placed on brief record. In another section a condensed account 
was given dealing with previous and less extensive excavations which 
had been conducted in various parts of ‘ the Temple ’ between 1865 and 
1894; none of these, however, produced any definite evidence of date, 
for the reason, mainly, that scientific method in archeological field- 
work had not then attained to the standard aimed at in the present 
century. 
Having dealt with Avebury under these headings in the previous 
report, the present account will be almost confined to the excavations 
conducted from Monday, April 26, to Monday, May 17, the filling-in, 
completed this year, continuing till May 20. 
A maximum number of sixteen men was employed this season, eleven 
being engaged in 1908. The weather was highly favourable during the 
three weeks, only four hours being lost owing to rain. Last year we were 
much hindered by falls of silting from the almost vertical sides cut as the 
digging penetrated into the lower levels of the great fosse. But, having 
grown wiser, we left a considerable batter to the faces of the silting this 
season, at the expense, however, of uncovering a relatively shorter length 
of bottom of the fosse. 
A number of sectional diagrams were made as the work proceeded, in 
which the various soils were indicated, and the exact position of every 
object of importance found during the exploration was projected into these 
sections, notes being made relating to each numbered ‘find.’ Eleven 
sectional drawings and plans were made, and a scale map of the whole area 
excavated in 1908 and 1909. An average section of the southern fosse 
having been given in the Report of 1908, it will be unnecessary to publish 
another on the present occasion, the previous one being fairly representative 
of the other sections made for the sake of careful record and precision. 
Twenty-two satisfactory photographs (half-plate) were taken during the 
season and sixteen last year, some showing the progress in the excavations 
from time to time as new features presented themselves, others being 
interesting views of various parts of ‘ the Temple’ taken under favourable 
conditions of light. 
The excavations were visited by some of the members of the British 
Association Stone Circles Committee, by Fellows of the Society of Anti- 
* The foreman on this occasion (J. Lush) had previously done deep digging in 
the chalk at the Maumbury Rings excavations at Dorchester last year, 
1909. T 
