Published online by Cambridge University Press: 08 January 2012
In presenting my Fifth Report on the work carried out at Stonehenge in the season of last year, it will be well to make a short review of the work from 1919 onwards. The first two years were spent upon rectifying the positions of stones nos. 6 and 7 and of nos. 1, 2, and 30. During this work, the contents of the pits in which they stood were examined as well as the soil around them, and the features presented by the ancient working and fitting of the stones were noted. A little work undertaken in spare time led to the discovery of the Aubrey holes, and of a large hole in which the Slaughter Stone probably stood. In the third season about 40 yards of the main ditch were excavated on the south side, and an examination made of a spot which had been previously considered a barrow. In the fourth season another portion of the ditch on the north-east was opened, which led to the discovery of the causeway and entrance to Stonehenge through the earthwork, also of a great number of post-holes which appeared to be the remains of a palisade in the entrance. Another stone-hole near the Slaughter Stone was found, and dwelling-pits on both sides of the causeway.
page 28 note 1 The method of distinguishing these holes by letters is a temporary one, and is used because numbering begins east of the axial line and corresponds with that of the standing stones. Holes excavated on the west of that line will receive their numbers when work has been completed round Stonehenge, but at present their number is not absolutely certain, though I feel convinced that they are continuous.