DENEHOLES, SILOS, CHALK PITS. 33
(Thanet sand and drift gravel) had been spread over the
surrounding land, but all chalk had been entirely carried
away. The chalk headings, or chambers, were certainly
cut by metal tools, but no definite evidence of date was
found. Among the bones, Mr. E. T. Newton was unable
to identify anything even as early as Bos longifrons.
The report is followed by many comparative illustrations
of various kinds of pits elsewhere ; and it concludes in favour
of the deneholes having been granaries. In the discussion
which followed the reading of the report (Proc., iv., 1884,
p. cxxxi. ; E.N., i., 1887, pp. 223-4), it is noted that the
rice-pits of Madagascar are comparatively small and shallow
—they were occasionally used for shelter, but never as
permanent dwellings. 273
Chalk Wells (F. W. Elliott. E.N.. i.. 1887, pp. 224 ; 254 ; F. J.
Bennett, E.N., i., 1887, pp. 260-265, 2 figs.). Describe
methods of obtaining chalk for marling the land and for
lime-burning. Shafts, sometimes 70 feet deep, are sunk
through the overlying strata into the chalk and there
open out into a bell-shaped cavity or series of chambers
or headings. Numerous shafts are sunk near together
to avoid underground haulage. The makers work as far
as they can conveniently reach with the bucket still
attached to the rope.* 274
Beehive Pits, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire (H. B Woodward,
E.N., i., 1887, pp. 265-266). These are about 5 feet deep
and 4 feet in diameter, they contain human and animal
bones, fragments of "black pottery," and evidences of
fire. 275
Ensilage and Silos (F. C. J. Spurrell, E.N., i., 1887, pp. 266-
276). Describes methods of preserving grain in pits in
various parts of the world. This paper gives much
information on the subject of silos, and argues for the applica-
tion of the theory to the deneholes. In Spain, where
the method was greatly developed, and is still in use, some
of the silos are said to be 30 or 40 feet deep ; but the
ordinary silo is comparatively small and shallow. 276
Silo pits, still used in Brittany (C. Brown, E.N., ii., 1888, dp.
5-6). 277
Dene or Dane is the same word as "den,"a hollow place (E.N.,
ii., 1888, p. 112). 278
Stifford, subsidences (T. V. Holmes, E.N., iii., 1889, pp. 183-
8, plan and section). These proved to be bell-pits, not so
* In some cases, the headings are driven upwards at a steep angle, so that the material
excavated falls down to the foot of the shaft. In some cases, a pit has to be abandoned
owing to accumulation of water, and this may account for the fact that they do not
communicate with each other underground—that is, to avoid flooding.