By Mr. and Mrs. B. H. Cunnington. 69 



larger hole between 1ft. and 2ft. deep. The sides of this hole 

 were practically perpendicular, except at the end towards the 

 ditch, where the sides sloped and there was an irregular ledge 

 in the chalk from 1ft. to 1ft. 3in. above the bottom of the pit. 

 It is thought that possibly this ledge may have served as a 

 step, if the pit was ever occupied ; but the object of the pit 

 is not at all clear. It has been suggested that it may have served 

 as a guard-room, porter's lodge, or sentry-box. In that case it 

 could only have been in the nature of a shelter for the guardian 

 in bad weather, and the layer of dark turfy material in the bottom 

 of the pit may be the decayed remains of a thatched roofing. This 

 suggestion, however, is not without difficulties, and the fact that 

 there are two holes that may be regarded as post-holes on one side 

 of the road, and only one post-hole on the other side, with the end 

 of this pit where the second hole should have been, suggests the 

 possibility of its having had some connection with the gates. It 

 might have held large timbers or pallisading to protect this corner 

 of the rampart ; but if this was the case, it is curious that it should 

 be on one side of the entrance only. 



The Western Entrance. ■ PI. XV. The entrance on the western 

 side was by a sunken road leading from the downs into the camp, 

 and intersecting the outer ditch at nearly right angles. For a 

 short distance outside the camp there are slight banks along either 

 side of the filled-in way, but further out, as well as inside the 

 ramparts, they have disappeared, although no doubt originally a 

 bank or banks extended along its whole course. 1 The road seems 

 to have been cut from 4ft. to 5ft. deep on an average, and was at 

 best a narrow pathway with no room for two people to walk 

 abreast, scarcely any room for passing, and none at all for vehicles 

 of any kind (see plan and sections). Within the outer ditch it 

 became gradually shallower, and ran out altogether a few yards 

 within the ramparts. 



It leads out from the camp over the downs in the direction of 



1 Sir R. Colt Hoare actually shows the continuation of the banks within 

 the ramparts. Ancient Wilts, South, 177. 



