THE EXPLORATION OF CABN-BREA. 97 



circles, though I have only excavated those where numbers are 

 marked— [Where a number is marked without a circle around it, 

 it merely indicates a speculative exploration which, though it 

 sometimes gave flints and pottery, did not, either by surrounding 

 stones or traces of a floor, show evidence of a circular or other 

 dwelling.] 



There appear what seem to me clear traces of a settlement 

 at the far western end of the hill, and of scattered huts in 

 various parts. These I have not explored at all, having, as 

 already stated, confined my attention to the two enclosures at 

 the eastern end. 



Of the circular huts which I have explored, very few con- 

 tained in their structure anything of especial interest. Two of 

 them, Nos. 3 and 8, have walls composed of double rows of 

 stone, — the others are of single rows. In No. 10 is evidence of 

 what seems to have been an approach-passage, similar to those 

 not infrequent on Dartmoor, while the lane in front of it 

 between the other huts, and its position at the corner of some 

 high rocks, suggest that it was occupied by some chief or other 

 person of importance. Circle No. 66 shows evidences of what was 

 either a porch entrance or a smaller chamber, adjoining the 

 main hut. 



Circles Nos. 11 and 14 showed evidences of very thoughtful 

 arrangement. Of these, I send plots that I prepared at the 

 time, and which will, I think, repay examination. No. 14 is a 

 fair instance of the difiiculty of tracing some of the Carn Brea 

 huts. It will be observed that with the exception of a single 

 stone ( " h " in plan) there is no stone in the whole circumference. 

 Our guide, in working, was a circular depression which I con- 

 jectured (and, as it proved, rightly conjectured) was the result of 

 stones having been pulled up and carried off for hedging, gate- 

 posts, &c. It will be noted that this circle adjoins a gate-way, 

 and it is perhaps no rash conjecture, especially considering its 

 size, to suppose that the structure was once a guardhouse. In the 

 gateway itself, at a depth of 3 to 4 feet, was found a large quantity 

 of charred oak, — the remains, perhaps, of a palisade or gate. 

 (Have not similar remains been found at Castle-an-Dinas ?) 

 The hearths and benches of this interesting circle, which I left 

 complete in the evening, were destroyed before 5.30 the next 



