NORFOLK PREHISTORY 67 
end to prevent the shaft splitting as a result of accumulation of chalk 
debris within.’ ‘The antiquity of the pits is emphasised (1) by the 
complete absence of any surface indications of their presence ; (2) by 
the solidity of the filling and the sealing in of the shaft by a stratum of 
blown yellow sand; (3) the primitive tools employed. Two of the 
shafts examined were partly overspread by chipping floors which ante- 
date the sandy layer but were clearly more recent than the shafts.’ The 
few tools resemble Campigny and tranchet types, the flints bear a greenish 
and highly lustrous patina, giving a varnished appearance suggesting a 
prolonged period of flooding or the presence of a considerable flow of 
water subsequent to the sinking of these early shafts. 
The ‘ intermediate pits’ and the recently described Pit 12,°1 which 
produced Peterborough ware, connect up with the deep pits originally 
excavated. The huge communal workshop and cooking site of early 
Iron Age date, termed the ‘ Black Hole,’ *” provides fresh-looking un- 
patinated flint implements as well as derived and patinated specimens 
of the older industries. It was obviously subsequent to the cessation of 
the mining. 
Whilst the engravings ** seem to bear relationship to the rude scratchings 
of the Baltic cultures, the extraordinary mixture of drift hand-axe types 
with a magnificent Levallois flake industry and with pottery presents a 
picture of which the details are far from clear as yet. The evidence 
for a Neolithic date is certainly strong, but it seems that in view of the 
late survival of the Mesolithic industries in the county and the admittedly 
short duration of the Neolithic, Armstrong may well be right in putting 
the early stages of the mining industry in the (local) Mesolithic. 
Other Norfolk Cissbury sites are recorded at Massingham,** Buckenham 
Tofts, and Ringland,®* where an open quarry was investigated by 
W. G. Clarke. Antler picks are recorded from Whitlingham and Eaton, 
whilst typical implements occur at Easton, Markshall and Great Melton.*° 
At the latter sites are hollows which appear to be filled-in pits, though this 
awaits confirmation by excavation. Beechamwell, Cranwich, Drayton, 
Heacham, Weeting, Northwold, Keswick, Quidenham and Costessey 
have all produced implements of Cissbury type. 
Woop CIRCLE. 
Though no stone circles are known in the county, air photography 
has revealed what appears to be a wooden circle of apparently 
‘Woodhenge’ type at Arminghall.27 It is hoped that the Norfolk 
Research Committee may have excavated this in time for the results to 
be available for the British Association meeting. 
PYP'S.E.A., Vil, iii, pp: 382-394. 
MAP IPIS WBA, aN; Aiep. 182. 
P.P.S.E.A., III, iii, p. 434, and III, iv, pp. 548-558. 
34 Transactions of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society, 1901. 
Pour ePsS. B.A ol, i, pps 148-151. 
Seo PLPS BAST, nip. 374: 
37 Antiquity, VII, No. 27, Sept. 1933 ; III, No. 11, Sept. 1929. 
