DAVIS : EXCURSION TO HOLDERNESS. 
273 
instances they have not been hewn into shape, but laid in the bed of 
the lake in the condition in which they were felled after the branches 
had been removed. The largest trunks are placed from east to west 
across the course of the stream, which connected more expanded 
and lake-like areas to the northwards and southwards. Transversely 
with the timbers from east to west, others were laid and fastened in 
position so as to form a tolerably compact and solid framework. 
They were fastened in position by rudely pointed stakes driven, gener- 
ally, with a diagonal inclination, into the bottom of the lake. At the 
north-east corner of the platform thus formed, a pair of parallel 
timbers of large size, about 5ft. apart, and more carefully hewn and 
fixed than most of the others, appear to indicate that the entrance, or 
connection between the dwelling and the adjoining land, was placed in 
this position. The trunks and branches consist for the most part of 
oak, ash, birch, hazel, and willow. H azel-nuts are frequently met with. 
The interstices between the timbers of the platform were filled 
with broken wood and twigs until a level surface was obtained. 
On the solid surface thus obtained, there was placed an additional 
thickness of about 18in. of broken twigs and bark, and on this 
foundation, probably reaching a short height above the surface o^ 
the water, were erected the dwellings of the builders. Since the 
demolition of the buildings or dwellings there has accumulated about 
3ft. of peat and peaty marl, and above this, forming the surface, 
there is more than a foot of warp and soil ; so that the whole is about 
10ft. in depth from the surface of the ground to the bed of gravel at 
the base. It is probable that after the first platform had served for 
the support of dwelling erected upon it, that it became necessary to 
raise it ; for it is found that a second one has been placed above it. 
The stakes used in fastening the timbers of the second, are fre- 
quently found driven into the timbers of the preceding one, so that 
the older structure must have been laid a considerable time, and the 
timbers have become more or less decayed, or this could not have 
happened. The stakes of the latter dwelling have a longer and 
better made point than the older ones, and appear to have been cut 
by superior tools. 
During the excavation many interesting relics of the occupiers 
