ON THE AGE OP STONE CIRCLES. 141 



The Age of Stone Circles. — Report of the Committee, consisting of Dr. C. H. 

 Read {Chairman), Mr. H. Balfour {Secretary), Lord Avebury, 

 Professor W. Ridgeway, Dr. J. G. Garson, Sir A. J. Evans, 

 Dr. R. Munro, Professor Boyd Dawkins, and Mr. A. L. Lewis, 

 appointed to conduct Explorations with the object of ascertaining 

 the Age of Stone Circles. {Drawn up by the Secretary.) 



Excavations were renewed at. Avebury Stone Circle in the spring of 

 the present year, and, as in former years, Mr. H. St. G. Gray, Curator 

 of the Taunton Museum, was placed in charge of the work, to conduct 

 the excavations under the general directions of the Committee. In 

 selecting the particular sites most likely to yield important results 

 the Committee were impressed with the great desirability of conducting 

 excavations in the fosse to the east of the causeway, on the opposite 

 side of which cuttings had been made in the fosse in previous years. 

 The owner of this portion of the circle, Captain Jenner, readily gave 

 his permission, but, unfortunately, the strenuous opposition of the 

 occupying tenant caused this scheme to fall through. It is most 

 desirable that thorough exploration of the fosse and causeway should 

 be made at this point, but for the present the matter must remain 

 in abeyance, and this important part of the examination of the earth- 

 work must be postponed, perhaps, for a few years. In consequence 

 of this primary scheme having been rendered abortive, the Committee 

 agreed to extend further the exploration of the S.W. portion of the 

 fosse, and to this the season's work was practically confined. The 

 results obtained have borne out the views based upon the previous 

 excavations, and have strengthened the belief that the monument 

 dates from Neolithic (probably late-Neolithic) times. The work has 

 been conducted by Mr. Gray in a very thorough manner, and the 

 records, plans, and photographs form a very complete series of per- 

 manent value. Mr. Gray's detailed report is appended, giving a full 

 account of the work done and of the relics found. The thanks of the 

 Committee are due to those who have generously responded to an appeal 

 for subscriptions to eke out the grant made by the British Association, 

 the amount collected (a detailed statement of which is appended to the 

 report) being very satisfactory. The Committee wish also to thank 

 Lord Avebury and Captain L. C. D. Jenner for permission to excavate 

 on their property, and the Rev. J. G. "Ward, Vicar of Avebury, for 

 assistance rendered in procuring labourers. Captain Jenner also 

 assisted the work by the useful loan of a number of planks, &c. 



Although it is unlikely that excavations at Avebury can be renewed 

 next year, the Committee ask to be reappointed with a view to a 

 complete survey of the Avebury circle and earthworks being made by 

 Mr. Gray, who has already prepared a survey-plan of the S. and S.W. 

 portion. For this it is hoped that a grant of 20Z. will be made by 

 the Association. This will not cover the expenses, but it is trusted 

 that the sum may be slightly augmented by subscriptions. No per- 

 fectly reliable plan of this most important monument exists at present. 



