Can anyone identify what this huge hole/well? is in this basement?

[zenonithus]

Hey all, I went there and as far as I could see the hole was filled with water. Though what concerned me most was the joists were damp and giving off high damp readings. It's possible rising damp from the walls is traveling into the wooden joists. Not sure how many years it's been going on untreated for but it put us off. I feel like it could lead to structural instability issue as the cellar was created after the house was built. I would have much preferred it not being there.