65 



escrigtiait of t\t %enittg of » §titis| 

 jtoelling=1pit at §ecIij}antjjton:. 



By Heney Cunnington. 



June 13th, 1884, I had the pleasure of opening an ex- 

 ceedingly interesting British dwelling-pit, on the farm 

 occupied by Mr. Wentworth, at Beckhampton. 



The pit is situated almost on the top of the hill, in the middle of 

 the trackway leading from Mr. Wentworth' s house to his farm- 

 buildings on the down. 



The curiosity of those who travelled on the road has often been 

 excited by the peculiarly hollow sound occasioned by either riding 

 or driving over the spot. 



This dwelling was found to consist of two circular pits sunk in 

 the clear firm chalk, the one adjoining and intersecting the other. 

 The depth of the large pit is 5ft. Sin. ; the diameter 5ft. 

 The depth of the smaller one is 4ft. Sin., and about 4ft. in 

 diameter, being a foot less deep than the other. 



The smaller pit forms a seat on which the occupant of the dwelling 

 could conveniently sit, as in a chair, while superintending the cooking 

 or other domestic operations. 



Several objects of antiquarian interest were found in this excava- 

 tion. Amongst them may be mentioned a curious bone implement 

 or ornament ; a well-shaped spindle whorl, cut out of chalk ; a chalk 

 loom weight ; two earthen cooking vessels, which appeared to have 

 been much used. Both of these were broken, but, as most of the 

 pieces of one have been found, it has been sufficiently restored to 

 show its size and shape, &c. 



Besides these were the following articles, showing that the oc- 

 cupation had been of comparatively recent date : — a fragment of 

 pseudo-Samian ware, several pieces of Roman pottery, and iron 

 nails, &c. 



The bones of animals were only those of sheep, ox, and rabbit. 



VOL. XXIII. — NO. LXVII. P 



