_Of the barrows, or sepulchral_ tumuli _about_ Stonehenge.
_Generally set in groups, which are family burial places; and
in sight of_ Stonehenge. _They are single burial places. How
the body is posited. What has been found in digging into these
barrows._
I come in the last place to speak of the barrows, observable in great
numbers, round _Stonehenge_. We may very readily count fifty at a time,
in sight, from the place; easily distinguishable: but especially in the
evening, when the sloping rays of the sun shine on the ground beyond
them. These barrows are the artificial ornaments of this vast and open
plain. And it is no small entertainment for a curious person, to remark
their beauties, their variety in form and magnitude, their situation.
They are generally of a very elegant _campaniform_ shape, and done
with great nicety. There is likewise a great variety in their shape,
and turn, and in their diameters, in their manner of composition. In
general, they are always upon elevated ground, and in sight of the
temple of _Stonehenge_. For they all regard it. This shews, _they_ are
but superficial inspectors of things, that fancy from hence, great
battels on the plain; and that these are the tumultuary burials of
the slain. Quite otherwise; they are assuredly, the single sepulchres
of kings, and great personages, buried during a considerable space of
time, and that in peace. There are many groups of them together, and as
family burial places; the variety in them, seems to indicate some note
of difference in the persons there interr’d, well known in those ages.
Probably the priests and laity were someway distinguish’d; as well as
different orders and stations in them. Most of the barrows have little
ditches around, extremely well defin’d. In many is a circular ditch 60
cubits in diameter, with a very small _tumulus_ in the center. 60 or
even 100 cubits is a very common diameter in the large barrows. Often,
they are set in rows, and equidistant, so as to produce a regular and
pretty appearance, and with some particular regard to the parts of the
temple, the avenues, or the _cursus_. For instance, where the avenue
begins at the first elevation, from _Radfin_ ford, advancing towards
_Stonehenge_, seven large and flat old barrows are on the right hand of
the avenue, towards the east end of the _cursus_, seven large barrows
of a newer shape, are on the left hand: both these groups before
spoken of, are plac’d in a similar manner, in regard to the avenue,
and as wings or openings to it. Upon every range of hills, quite round
_Stonehenge_, are successive groups of barrows, for some miles: and
we may even observe, that great barrow by Lord _Pembroke_’s park at
_Wilton_, which I call the tomb of _Carvilius_, is set within view of
_Stonehenge_.
In 1722, my late Lord _Pembroke_, Earl _Thomas_, who was pleas’d to
favour my inquiries at this place, open’d a barrow, in order to find
the position of the body observ’d in these early days. He pitch’d upon
one of those south of _Stonehenge_, close upon the road thither from
_Wilton_: and on the east side of the road. ’Tis one of the double
barrows, or where two are inclos’d in one ditch: one of those, which I
suppose the later kind, and of a fine turn’d bell-fashion. It may be
seen in _Plate_ IX. On the west side, he made a section from the top to
the bottom, an intire segment, from center to circumference. The manner
of composition of the barrow was good earth, quite thro’, except a coat
of chalk of about two foot thickness, covering it quite over, under the
turf. Hence it appears, that the method of making these barrows was to
dig up the turf for a great space round, till the barrow was brought
to its intended bulk. Then with the chalk, dug out of the environing
ditch, they powder’d it all over. So that for a considerable time,
these barrows must have look’d white: even for some number of years.
And the notion of sanctity annex’d to them, forbid people trampling
on them, till perfectly settled and turf’d over. Hence the neatness
of their form to this day. At the top or center of this barrow, not
above three foot under the surface, my Lord found the skeleton of
the interr’d; perfect, of a reasonable size, the head lying toward
_Stonehenge_, or northward.
The year following, in order to prosecute this inquiry, by my Lord’s
order, I begun upon a barrow north of _Stonehenge_, in that group
south of the _cursus_. ’Tis one of the double barrows there: and the
more easterly, and lower of the two: likewise somewhat less. It was
reasonable to believe, this was the sepulture of a man and his wife:
and that the lesser was the female: and so it prov’d, at least a
daughter. We made a large cut on the top from east to west. After the
turf taken off, we came to the layer of chalk, as before, then fine
garden mould. About three foot below the surface, a layer of flints,
humouring the convexity of the barrow. These flints are gather’d from
the surface of the downs in some places, especially where it has been
plow’d. This being about a foot thick, rested on a layer of soft mould
another foot: in which was inclos’d an urn full of bones. This urn was
of unbak’d clay, of a dark reddish colour: crumbled into pieces. It had
been rudely wrought with small mouldings round the verge, and other
circular channels on the outside, with several indentures between,
made with a pointed tool, as depicted in _Plate_ XXXII. where I have
drawn all the sorts of things found in this barrow. The bones had been
burnt, and crouded all together in a little heap, not so much as a hat
crown would contain. The collar bone, and one side of the under-jaw
are grav’d in their true magnitude. It appears to have been a girl of
about 14 years old, by their bulk and the great quantity of female
ornaments mix’d with the bones, all which we gather’d. Beads of all
sorts, and in great number, of glass of divers colours, most yellow,
one black. Many single, many in long pieces notch’d between, so as to
resemble a string of beads, and these were generally of a blue colour.
There were many of amber, of all shapes and sizes, flat squares, long
squares, round, oblong, little and great. Likewise many of earth, of
different shapes, magnitude and colour, some little and white, many
large and flattish like a button, others like a pully. But all had
holes to run a string thro’, either thro’ their diameter, or sides.
Many of the button sort seem to have been cover’d with metal, there
being a rim work’d in them, wherein to turn the edge of the covering.
One of these was cover’d with a thin film of pure gold. These were the
young lady’s ornaments. And had all undergone the fire: so that what
would easily consume fell to pieces as soon as handled. Much of the
amber burnt half thro’. This person was a heroin, for we found the
head of her javelin in brass. At bottom are two holes for the pins
that fastned it to the staff. Besides, there was a sharp bodkin, round
at one end, square at the other, where it went into a handle. I still
preserve whatever is permanent of these trinkets. But we recompos’d the
ashes of the illustrious defunct, and cover’d them with earth. Leaving
visible marks at top, of the barrow having been open’d, to dissuade any
other from again disturbing them: and this was our practice in all the
rest.
[Illustration: _P. 44._ TAB. XXIII.