ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF BRONZE AGE IMPLEMENTS. 333 



thickness of the block appeared to be 1.25 ft. The most northern stone. 

 No. XXVII, was of more or less triangular shape, having a maximum length of 

 7.5 ft. and a maximum width of 4.15 ft. ; thickness about 1.75 ft. Nos. XXVII 

 and XXVIII were only 0.33 ft., and Nos. XXVIIT and XXIX 0.75 ft. apart. 

 Nos. XXVII and XXIX were lying fairly flat, but No. XXVIII sloped east- 

 wards at an angle of some 45°. 



These stones, which have been covered up again at the wish of the owner, 

 IMr. Peak-GarlHud. arc to the east of the two creat standing stones, known as 

 'The Cove.' Tlic nearest parts of Stones XXVTI and XXVIII are about 29 ft. 

 ca.st of the highest stone of ' The Cove ' (No. XXVI). 



VIII. Concluding Remarks. 



There can be little doubt that Avebury — its circles, fosse and vallum — is 

 referable to the late Neolithic period. This belief has been sustained by the 

 evidence covered by five seasons of excavation. The total absence of metals in 

 tlie lower parts of the silting of the fosse and in the vallum cutting affords 

 strong negative evidence. The persistence of tools of stone, antler and bone, 

 inc'luding flint implements, antler picks, hammers, rakss and levers, bone shovels 

 and other worked bones, at least strongly suggests Neolithic date. 



The evidence, too, of Neolithic date is greatly strengthened by the discovery 

 of a representative collection of fragments of prehistoric pottery, some of types 

 which have yet to be compared more closely with similar pottery in the light 

 of recent discoveries elsewhere. When the Avebury excavations began in 1908 

 comparatively little was known as to the details which afforded a clue in 

 dividing Neolithic from early Bronze Age pottery with anj' degree of certainty. 



We have not been richly rewarded in the way of relics, but considering the 

 early date and great extent of ,\vebury w- miyht well have found less. The 

 excavations have been worth while even if there had not been any other purpose 

 in view than to ascertain the method of co'istruction of the great fosse — its vast 

 proportions, enormous depth, irregularity in width at bottom, and uneven floor. 

 Incidentally, much else has been done. We have a complete scale plan and 

 .«ome sections of the monument, and a photographic survey has been carried out. 

 The ancient entrance-causeway on the south has been located and partly exposed 

 by excavation. The socket-hole of one prostrate stone has been cleared, with 

 interesting results, and three buried stones have been rediscoveTed in the 

 northern inner circle. 



Had it been possible in this particular exploration, it would have been 

 interesting to ascertain if there is an entrance-causeway on the north (Swindon 

 road), and also whether there is a western entrance. The latter would be 

 exceedingly difficult to prove by excavation, as the probable site is on tlie line 

 of the villpge street. 



The Distribution of Bronze Age Imnlements. — Intp.rim Revort 

 of Committee (Professor J. L. Myres, Chairman; Mr. Haeold 

 Peake, Secretary : Dr. E. C. R. Armstkong, Dr. G. A. Auden. 

 Mr. H. Balfour. Mr. L. H. D. Buxton, Mr. O. G. S. Crawford 

 Sir W. Boyd Dawktxs, Professor H. T. Fleure, Mr. G. A. 

 0.\RFTTT, Dr. R. R. M.\RETT, Mr. R. Mond, Sir C. H. Read, 

 Sir W. Ridgeway). 



Ttit! Committee has had throughout the assistance of Dr. H. S. Harrison, repre- 

 senting the Roval Anthropological Institute, and Lord Abercromby, representing the 

 Society of Antiquaries of Scfitland. 



The Committee's drauglitsnuin, Mr. C!. H. Howell, has been employed thrdiighnut 

 the year, and has paid scvci'mI visits to mu.seums and privMte collections within the 

 TTome Counties ; Mr. C. (>. M'aterhmisc has drawn about 100 s|)eeinieus in the British 

 Museum. 



Again we have received helj) from volunteprs. pspfcinlly from Curators of Museums, 

 notably those of Ipswich, Norwich, and Cardiff. Mr. E. C. Middleton has continued 



