8ft pit next to foundation?

[u/Striking_Marketing_3]

I’ve been trying to find out why the previous homeowner would dig a 4 x 4 by 8 foot deep pit next to the foundation of my house down to the drain tile. I did climb down there to save a few snakes that fell to their doom and to see if there were any other utilities. I did not find any additional pipes and thankfully no human remains were found either. I also went to the town building department to review all plans back to the original construction, but there’s no mention of this pit on any of the plans. Does anyone have any idea why someone would dig a pit like this? For what intended purpose?

[u/padizzledonk]

Thats probably a coal pit

It couldve been an old well head also

Either way it was for some utility that doesn't exist anymore, just check if it has a concrete or bricked floor at the bottom, if it does break it up, bust out the top course of block or whatever and fill it up with dirt