Journal of Proceedings. 
xxxiii 
one nearly perfect, containing the bones of a female and child, with 
bronze armlets, and a spindle whorl of lead. I have never seen in them 
evidence of occupation as dwellings or stores. The method of obtaining 
chalk by this mode of sinking wells down to the chalk, and then driving 
tunnels, is now in operation.” 
The above is the only authenticated statement we have on record of 
the finding of relics in an Essex Dene-hole, with the exception of the 
pottery mentioned by Mr. Spurrell as existing in the shallow pits at East 
Tilbury. But unfortunately Mr. Meeson does not give the precise 
particulars required,— viz., the depth and construction of the Dene-hole 
explored by him,—and we are left in doubt as to whether it had a deep 
shaft, like those in Hangman’s Wood, or whether it belonged to the 
shallow class of pits found in many parts of England. 
Interesting accounts of the Essex “Denes” are given in Palin’s 
‘ Stifiord and its Neighbourhood ’ (1871) and ‘ More about Stifiord ’ (1872), 
both privately printed.* We have already extracted from the latter work 
Mr. Williams’s description of those in Hangman’s Wood (see ‘ Pro¬ 
ceedings,’ vol. ii., p. xviii.). A rough map of the wood and plan of one 
of the holes is given. Mr. W il liams enumerates fifty holes, of which six 
were then open; there are in reality seventy-two, and, as Mr. Spurrell 
remarks, “those in the western portion of the wood are mapped in the 
six-inch Ordnance map; the eastern division, perhaps from some red- 
tapeism, being unmapped, though, if anything, they are the most con¬ 
spicuous holes.” The pits are so close together that Mr. Williams asserts 
that when a sharp sound is made in an open hole the reverberation 
occasioned by the underground cavities of the adjacent closed ones can 
be easily recognised. He also speaks of a Dene-hole partly filled up in 
the Stifiord Chalk-quarry, and of “ a series of them in Mucking Woods 
filled up within the last few years.” These last were in sand, but once 
probably extended down to the chalk. Mr. Spurrell says:— 
“ Others in clusters of three or four are to be found on either side of 
the little valley leading from Hangman’s Wood southward to the 
Thames.From Stifiord along the Mardyke, or Merydike, 
stream to Purfleet, these caves are found on either side, the chalk being 
white on the surface. The ground around them near Purfleet is covered 
with Neolithic flakes, which may be scraped up by the hand. The pits 
now filled in completely must have been of very slight depth, otherwise 
* The Eev. William Palin, M.A., for nearly fifty years Rector of Stifiord, died on 
October 16th, 1882, aged 79 years. He was a thoughtful and energetic writer on Church 
affairs, his most important ecclesiastical work being ‘ The History of the Church of 
England, 1688—1717,’ and he was formerly editor of the ‘ Churchman’s Magazine.’ His 
two hooks on his own and neighbouring parishes abound in topographical and physical 
details, and present a welcome contrast to the ordinary dull county history, filled only 
with the rise and fall, the marriages and deaths of the “ great” families ; the details of 
architectural lore and local history being interspersed and relieved in a delightful way 
with little flashes of dry humour, and telling anecdotes of life and manners in 
former days. 
C 
