26 Mr. H. C. Laiclor on 



archaeologists, of whom I may mention Professor R. A. S. 

 MacAlister, Mr. Andrew Robinson, of H.M. Board of Works, 

 Canon Lett and others. Professor MacAlister has been good 

 enough to write the following on the result of the investigation : — 



Note by Professor R. A. S. MacAlister, m.a., d.litt., f.s.a. 



That no antiquities of any kind were discovered in the 

 Giant's Ring is not surprising, having regard to the probal^le nature 

 of the Monument. Indeed, from one point of view the negative 

 result is not unsatisfactory, as it is an indication that the study 

 of this and analogous monuments, after many and devious experi- 

 ments, has at last settled down on proper critical lines. 



That the monument was primarily sepulchral may be taken 

 for granted ; also that it belongs to the Dolmen building period. 

 That is to say, it dates from the time of the overlap between the 

 stone age and the bronze age, though probably a little nearer in 

 date to the former than to the latter period, i.e., early in the 

 time of overlap. 



There is no doubt that the stone monument in the centre of 

 the ring was erected over the sepulchre itself, the structure being 

 designed, like all dolmens, after the model of a house. It is, 

 indeed, the " eternal house " provided for the use of the soul, in 

 Avhich food and the offeiings could be provided from time to time. 



The stratum of burning found in- a patch immediately to the 

 north-east of the Dolmen, may possibly mark the site of a dwel- 

 ling, perhaps the actual dwelling of the deceased, though this 

 of course can only be a matter of conjecture. 



The mound of earth and stone surrounding the Dolmen (l) 

 is undoubtedly connected with it, (2) is not the rampart of a 

 residential enclosure, for in that case pottery and other signs of 

 occupation would have been found within it. The total absence 

 of any such objects, and the absence af any signs of disturbance 

 of the soil for graves or any other purpose (excepting recent 

 tillage) is an indication that the enclosure within the mound was 



