ON THE AGE OF STONE CIRCLES, 227 
The Age of Stone Circles.—Report of the Committee, consisting 
of Sir C. Hercuntes Reap (Chairman), Mr. H. Batrour 
(Secretary), Dr. G. A. AUDEN, Professor W. RipcEeway, Dr. 
J. G. Garson, Sir A. J. Evans, Dr. R. Munro, Professor 
Boyp 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.) 
Owrna to the smallness of the balance in hand, which only amounted 
to two guineas, it has not been possible to carry out any work at 
Avebury during the present year. It was hoped that this sum might 
be available for re-levelling the inequalities in the ground caused by 
shrinkage of soil disturbed during previous excavations; but as the 
levelling will have to be done under skilled supervision, the small 
amount would only suffice if a responsible person were on the spot, 
and as there was no grant for excavation work there was no suitable 
expert available. As soon as excavation work can be resumed at 
Avebury the levelling and repairs can be conducted concurrently with 
the more important operations and at trifling expense. In view of 
the scientific results already obtained from the excavations in former 
years, and as a means of adding to their value in determining the 
period to which the Avebury stone circle should be assigned, it is 
most important that fresh explorations should be made in another 
portion of the earthwork. It is especially desirable that a portion of 
the fosse to the east of the causeway leading from Kennet Avenue 
should be excavated down to its original bottom. This is on the 
opposite side of the causeway to the site of the previous excava- 
tions. This important piece of work should either confirm or correct 
the impressions derived from the sections cut through the fosse on 
former occasions, and may be expected to lead to definite results pro- 
vided that a sufficiently large area can be explored. With this object 
in view, the Committee apply for re-election and for a grant of 50l., 
together with the small balance in hand, which would still be allotted 
to the repairing of damage caused by previous excavations. The 
Committee also wish to apply for leave to invite subscriptions from 
other sources, in order to acquire a sum sufficient for moderately 
extensive investigation. Owing to the great depth of the silting in 
the fosse, the cost of excavation is relatively high, and the grant 
applied for would by itself only be sufficient for a very limited explora- 
tion of the fosse; but if the grant is allotted, a further sum will be 
available from private sources, enabling the work to be conducted on 
@ more substantial scale, with every prospect of valuable results. It 
18 important that excavations should be renewed at Avebury next 
spring if possible, and not be delayed for another year, as there would 
be a better chance of enlisting the services of labourers who have 
already been employed in this work and have learned something of 
the requirements. 
The Committee desire to express their deep regret at the death 
of Lord Avebury, who had not only served upon the Committee for 
several years, but had also freely given permission for excavations 
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