DESCRIPTIONS OP CEANIA.
i! f''i
at the east end, and about 8 feet in greatest height. It has been sxirrounded by a complete
peristaHth, formed by a combination of ortholithie and horizontal masonry, which, according to
John Aubrey, was nearly perfect in the 17th centiuy, but of which fi-agments only now
Long Barrow at West Kennet.—From a sketch by Aubrey, c. 1665. PeristaHth.—Scale, 10 feet to an inch.
remain. Within the mound, at the east end, was a chamber formed of six upright Sarsen
stones, covered by three very large blocks of the same, and having a gaUery entering it from the
east, similarly constructed. The chamber was about 8 feet in length by 9 in breadth, and
nearly 8 feet in clear height. On clearing out the earth and chalk-rubble -ivith which it was
Plan of Chamber and Gallery in the Long Harrow, West Kennet.—Scale, 10 feet to an inch.
filled, the chamber was found to contain six skeletons, all, so far as could be made o^it, in the
crouched or sitting posture,—five being probably of males fi-om 17 to 50 years of age, and the
sixth that of an infant. With one exception, they were of less than middle stature. Two of the
skT.ills were remarkable for distinct traces of fracture, unequivocally inflicted before death.
Bones of various animals used for food were found, including those of the sheep or goat, ox of a
large size, roebuck, boars and other swine. There were very numerous flakes and knives of flint,
Flint Implements from the Chambered Barrow, West Kennet.—Two-thirds size.
some of which were circular and elaborately chipped at the edges : one only had been ground
(Fig. 2), and may have been used in flaying animals. There were two or three large mallets
of flint and Sarsen stone, part of a rude bone pin, and a single hand-made bead of Kimmeridge
shale. The fragments of coarse but ornamented pottery were remarkable for their number ;
50. (2)
ANCIENT BRITISH—WEST KENNET, NORTH WILTS.
and in three of the four angles of the chamber there was a pUe of such, evidently deposited in a
fragmentary state, there being hardly three portions of the same vessel. One small vase had
I,
ti
• I
Fragments of British Pottery from the Chambered Barrow, West Kennet.—Fig. 1, actual size : Fig. 2, two-thirds size.
ri't-
• ' I'M
1 f
been perforated at the bottom and sides. In the central part of the chamber was a shard of
pottery, perhaps Roman ; and a fragment undoubtedly such was turned up at some depth outside
the chamber, near its western end,—affording a probable indication that it had been searched
during the Roman period. By whomsoever opened, its contents had but partially been distiirbed,
as was proved by the condition and order of the skeletons, and by the presence of a defined
• (
f;
Fiew in the GaUery loohing towards the Chamber. View in the Chamber loohing through the Entrance.
layer of black unctuous earth immediately above them. Not a bit of burnt bone or other sign
of cremation was met with; there were no traces of metal, either bronze or iron, or of any arts
for tlie practice of which a knowledge of metallurgy is essential.
u
%
'(I