Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 8.djvu/538

of the British fortified town, situated on Worle Hill, near Weston super Mare. I commenced clearing out a square space where there was an appearance of walls, thinking it possible that it might be the entrance to a well; in this, however, I was disappointed, as it proved to be merely a rectangular excavation in the rock, about 16 feet from east to west, by about 13 from north to south, having a facing of dry masonry on the north, east, and west sides; that on the north about 2 feet 8 inches high, the other two sloping to the south with the natural declivity of the hill; the south side being merely the natural rock, without any facing of masonry, and not more than a few inches below the surface; the floor was composed of the solid limestone of the hill imperfectly levelled. For what purpose this chamber was formed I cannot conjecture; at first I thought it might be a tank for water, but the floor being of mountain limestone renders this improbable. On the following day I proceeded to clear out one of the Hut-circles, of which there are many within the ramparts. This proved to be a rude excavation in the solid rock, about six feet deep, and rather more in diameter. With the exception of a few fragments of very coarse pottery, and a little wood, having the appearance of charcoal, this pit contained nothing deserving of notice. On the following day I was absent, but the work was continued under the superintendence of Mr. Atkins and Dr. Tomkins, and on clearing a similar cavity, at about 5 feet 6 inches below the surface, was found a skeleton lying on the right side, close to the rock, with the head to the N. W.; this skeleton, though in a very decayed state, was nearly perfect, with the exception of the lower part of the legs, which had disappeared. On clearing the skull, three cuts entirely penetrating the bone, and evidently inflicted with some heavy and very sharp weapon, appeared upon it; the collar bone and the left arm, a little below the shoulder, also bore the marks of very severe wounds, apparently from the same cutting weapon. There was nothing else deserving of notice. On Monday, on opening another circle just by, at the depth of 3 feet 6 inches from the surface, they found the rock faced with dry masonry in a nearly circular form. From the top of this masonry to the solid rock at the bottom, was, on the E. side 23 inches, on the W. 27 inches, on the N. 24 inches, and on the S. 23 inches. The diameter of this chamber was in the broadest pan, 4 feet 6 inches, and in the narrowest 3 feet 11 inches; the total depth of the excavation being about 5 feet 6 inches. About 4 inches below the top of the masonry were discovered the remains of two skeletons, lying nearly across each other, the head of one being nearly due south; that of the other skeleton west south-west. These were lying on their sides with the legs drawn up. About 6 inches lower a third skeleton was found, the head lying nearly due north. One of the skeletons, which was that of a very large man, bore marks of great violence, the skull being severely gashed by a sharp cutting instrument, and fractured by a large stone, which lay upon it; part of the collar bone was forced up into the arch of the lower jaw, and on the left thigh bone was the mark of a deep cut. Under these bones was a quantity of dark mould, covering a thin layer of broken stones; then, thin plates of lias, which are not found on Worle Hill. Under these, immediately upon the rock, was a quantity of wheat mixed with a little barley, quite black, whether from the action of fire or through natural decay is not certain. With the skeletons were a few horses' teeth, and mixed with the grain were small bones, apparently of birds.