146 Stonehenge Notes: The Fragments. 



Several artificial flint flakes, some wood ashes, and the tooth of a 

 small ruminant, have also been fouud. 



The fact that specimens of all the varieties of rocks which con- 

 stitute the inner circle of Stonehenge have been found in the mixed 

 substance at the base of this obelisk proves that they were all on 

 the spot when the inner ellipse was erected. Thus it would seem 

 most probable that all the foreign stones were brought together at 

 the same time ; disproving the theory that the smaller stones of the 

 temple were damons, or the votive offerings of separate worshippers. 

 (See Mr. Fergusson). 



Sarsens. 



A very small proportion of chippings of sarsen stone has been 

 found in these diggings, or, it may be added, in the immediate 

 neighbourhood of the temple. This is more especially to be re- 

 marked, as the sarsens constituted, in bulk, as well as in number, by 

 far the larger proportion of the material of the structure. But on 

 this subject our lamented Secretary, the late Mr, E. T. Stevens, very 

 judiciously remarks: "It is not likely that the builders of Stonehenge 

 would have dragged a needlessly bulky or misshapen mass of stone 

 -~mile after mile — merely to have the pleasure of dressing it 

 into shape at the end of their laborious journey. Minor details may 

 have been carried out at Stonehenge ; but probably the stones were 

 squared before they reached Salisbury Plain, and chippings, for the 

 most part, have to be sought elsewhere." 1 



Original Surfaces. 



It has generally been supposed that the stones of the inner circle 

 have been placed in position in their unhewn form, without any 

 dressing ; but they were probably reduced to suitable heights or 

 otherwise trimmed before using. In no other way would it be easy 

 to account for the large number of chippings which from time to 

 time have been found on the spot; and it will be observed that 

 these chippings are not of a later date than the erection of Stonehenge 



1 Jottings of the " Stonehenge Excursion," August 24th, 1876. 



