Excursion to Avebury and Winterbourne Bassett. Saturday July 4th, 1908 - Geologists' Association excursion

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Excursion to Avebury and Winterbourne Bassett. Saturday July 4th, 1908. (Transcription of GA Circular No. 96. Session 1907–1908.)

DIRECTOR : Rev. H. G. O. KENDALL.

EXCURSION SECRETARY : MARK WILKS, 24, Lower Clapton Road.

Leave Paddington 9.35; arrive Marlborough 11.33.

To obtain special tickets (available to return from Wootton Bassett) price 8s. 8d. each, meet Excursion Secretary in main line booking office not later than 9.20. Bring lunch.

Walk through Marlborough, noting the College, "C." House (Old Castle Inn), and The Mound (a lesser Silbury), to Fyfield, about 3 miles. Examine chalk pit in H. planus (?) zone. Proceeding up "River of Stones" about a mile, strike across "The Ridgeway " (south end of Hackpen Hill) just below Tertiary Outliers and Drift capping. From here a wide view is obtained of a country physiographically and archaeologically of great interest, including Silbury Hill and numbers of barrows, two on the south side of the Kennet.

Descend to Avebury and examine the excavations just finished by the British Association, which will remain exposed till after the Excursion.

From this point carriages will be taken along the upper Kennet valley to Winterbourne Basset. Windmill Hill with Camp and barrows will pass in sight.

From the drift on the route at 540 and 600 ft. Eoliths have been collected by the Director, examples of which will be examined among his large collection of Palaeoliths, &c., from the neighbourhood, as well as from Savernake, Herts, &c.

A halt will be made for tea, after which the drive will be continued to Wootton Bassett, passing if, possible, by Cliffe Pypard (a fallen stone circle) and the "Cliff."

Return train Wootton Bassett 8.2 p.m. ; due at Paddington 10.10 p.m. Walking about 6 or 7 miles.

Cost of drive, 1s. 3d. each. Meat tea 1s. 6d.

REFERENCES.

Ord. Survey Map, 1-inch, No. 266.

Geol. Survey Map, Old Series, Sheets 34 and 14.

Geol. Index Map, Sheet 11.

References

Kendall, H.G.O. 1908. Excursion to Avebury and Winterbourne Bassett, July, 1908. 20(7) 1908 p.536-539. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0016-7878(08)80276-3

Roberts, Alison. Palaeolithic British Isles. In World Archaeology at the Pitt Rivers Museum: A Characterization edited by Dan Hicks and Alice Stevenson, Archaeopress 2013, page 169-215

Images

List of photographs

Excursion to Avebury and Winterbourne Bassett, July 4th 1908

Page 51 P805306 Section showing the original construction and depth of trench. Excursion to Avebury and Winterbourne Bassett, July 4th 1908.
Page 51 P805307 A group of megaliths. Excursion to Avebury and Winterbourne Bassett, July 4th 1908.
Page 51 P805308 Stones forming part of the great circle. Excursion to Avebury and Winterbourne Bassett, July 4th 1908.
Page 53 P805309 Excavation in trench at Avebury. Excursion to Avebury and Winterbourne Bassett, July 4th 1908.
Page 53 P805310 Some of the remaining stones of the great circle. Excursion to Avebury and Winterbourne Bassett, July 4th 1908.
Page 53 P805311 Trench and ramp at Avebury. Excursion to Avebury and Winterbourne Bassett, July 4th 1908.
Page 53 P805312 Farmhouse built on site of circle with large sarsen still standing. Excursion to Avebury and Winterbourne Bassett, July 4th 1908.