ON THE AGE OP STOKE CIRCLES. 175 



point, with a view to exploring the lowest layers of silting and exposing 

 the original surfaces of the fosse and causeway; (2) to cut through the 

 vallum so as to lay bare the old surface line. Mr. H. St. G. Gray 

 was again employed to carry out the work under the general direction 

 of the Committee. Careful survey-plans were made of this portion 

 of the monument and of the portions excavated, and a number of 

 photographs were taken. These were submitted together with the 

 interim report. Mr. Gray's report upon the work which he carried 

 out is appended, and takes the place of the abridged account presented 

 to the Australian meeting. 



The finds, although not as numerous as could have been desired, 

 have so far borne out the impressions derived by the Committee from 

 previous excavations both at Avebury and elsewhere (Arbor Low in 

 Derbyshire and The Stripple Stones on Bodmin Moor, Cornwall). No 

 trace of metal was discovered in the lowest layers of silting in the fosse, 

 nor on the old turf line below the vallum, and the probability of the 

 earthworks and stone circle at Avebury being referable to the Late 

 Neolithic period is sustained by the recent evidence. At the same time, 

 it is most desirable that the exploration of the original bottom-surface 

 of the fosse should be prosecuted further, with a view to laying bare 

 a lai'ger extent of this surface and increasing the number of finds 

 thei-efrom. The most reliable evidence as to the date of the monument 

 is to be derived from the lowest layers of the silt in this gigantic 

 ditch. In the hopes that further excavation work would be able to be 

 undertaken, the trenches akeady cut were not filled up, but were left 

 open, a fencing having been erected round this part to protect cattle 

 and horses. The immense original depth of the fosse can thu3 be 

 seen, as also the conformation of the east side of the entrance-causeway. 

 This should prove of much interest to archoeologists. 



Application was made at the Australian meeting for a further grant 

 to enable this work to be carried out during 1915, and a sum of 20L 

 was allotted. Owing, however, to the effects of the war, it was found 

 that it would be impossible to secure the labour necessary for the work 

 contemplated, and the Committee felt obliged to abandon the proposed 

 plan of operations. It was recognised, moreover, that the continuance 

 of the war rendered such work inoppoi'tune. Nevertheless, a very 

 useful and important piece of work was carried through during the 

 spring of this year. The very careful survey of the Avebury Circle, 

 on a scale of 40 feet to the inch, which had been from time to time 

 plotted out by Mr. Gray during the excavations in previous years, was 

 completed, and has since been carefully mounted by Messrs. Stanford. 

 This will prove to be by far the most reliable and complete plan of the 

 monument, and the portions excavated are accurately indicated upon 

 it, and can thenceforth be located with certainty. A small sum was 

 drawn for this purpose from the British Association grant. 



In view of the unavoidable postponement of the important excava- 

 tion work on account of the dearth of labour and on account of the 

 serious troubles in which the country has been involved, the Committee 

 ask that the unexpended balance o"f the grant made in 1914 may be 

 credited to them, and that this may be increased to 40Z. in all, so that 



