AT HANGMAN'S WOOD, GRAYS.
231
corresponding one on the other side of the shaft, are by no
means so nearly in a straight line as usual, the difference amounting
to about 15 degrees, while the usual limit is about 5 degrees. And
the two lateral chambers excavated are both on the same side of a
line bisecting the primary chambers, no traces of corresponding
chambers on the other side being visible. The existing chambers
are long, rather narrow for their length, and with slight, irregularly
placed recesses in their sides. A four-chambered pit like this is
quite exceptional at Hangman's Wood, according to our present
experience, and none appear to have been seen by Mr. F. C. J.
Spurrell during his researches at Bexley. It is therefore worth
noting that the remarkable pit at Eltham, discovered in 1878 and
described by Mr. Flinders Petrie ("Archaeological Journal,"
vol. xxxv.), had its shaft in a similar position, and is probably
but a further development of a pit originally like our No. 12. In
the Eltham example the roof is supported by three pillars, which are
almost central, while none exist in No. 12. But it is obvious that