OF THE

MASONRY WELL DISCOVERED AT THE NEW WEIR, KENCHESTER.

Section of stone-well discovered buried 3 feet below the ground level.

Discovered in the grounds of the New Weir, Kenchester,

at a distance of about 50 yards below the two ancient

abutments of masonry on the left bank of the Wye.

The first tier of steps, forming the lowermost octagon, was composed of eight stones, 11 inches total depth externally, with a rise of 5 inches, and a tread of 7 inches. Each side of this octagon measured 8 inches, and it was complete, having been undamaged by the excavators.

The second tier was found rather more than half complete, with a rise of from 8 to 9 inches, and a tread of from 8 to 10 or more inches. At least four of the eight sections constituting this second tier were constructed by the use of one entire large stone, the internal face of which measured 14 inches.

The third tier was very little more than half complete, with a similar rise of 8 or 9 inches, its tread varying in width, being necessarily greater at the angles of the octagon. The inner face of each octagon of this third tier measured 23 inches, and at least three of the sections of the octagon were formed of one entire large stone. The fourth tier followed similar dimensions as regard rise and tread. Only three stones were found in situ, of which only the central was entire, measuring 17 inches along its internal face. The contiguous stones on each side were fragmentary.

The fifth or uppermost tier presented only one large stone, cut concave at its angle internally. Hence, apparently the fourth tier was the highest in which the formation of the octagon had been completed.

In plan, the internal dimensions of the well would give an approximate diameter of 7 feet at the top. Descending, the diameter decreased tier by tier by nearly two feet, until it was reduced to 20 inches at the base. The stones were very accurately fitted; mortar and cement may have been originally employed in the construction, but if so, all traces of either were washed away by the action of centuries of water flow.

The situation of this buried structure was about 50 yards below the two ancient massive masonry abutments on the left bank of the river, and it was buried a little more than 3 feet below the present ground level. The ground above is steep. Débris from above would, after heavy rains, accumulate rapidly.

The course of Mr. Godsell's excavation, which was conducted parallel with the river, cut obliquely across a road which was buried only about 18 inches below the present ground level. The site of this road lay between the above mentioned abutments and this buried structure.

The questions before us are-what was the octagonal well or basin? and what was its use?

Professor Middleton, writing on January 22nd, 1892, from King's College, Cambridge, after an inspection of the photograph, says: "It looks to me like a Roman basin at a spring. The spring comes up through the hole in the stone basin. This, at least, is a usual Roman method, but without seeing it I cannot be sure whether that is what the photograph shows." After Professor Middleton had seen the plan and section of the drawing, and had been informed that the well, in the absence of mortar, cement, or puddling, would not hold water, he wrote on January 28th :-" Without seeing the thing it is impossible to form an opinion which is worth anything, but I shall be inclined to suggest that the fountain is of mediæval rather than the Roman date, judging from the rough sketch."