Avebury Long Barrows South

 Adam's Grave Easton Hill Long Barrow Horton Down 1 Long Barrow Horton Down 2 Long Barrow Horton Down 3 Long Barrow Kitchen Barrow Shepherd's Shore Long Barrow

Avebury Long Barrows South is in Avebury Long Barrows.

584 First Battle of Woden's Barrow

715 Battle of Wanborough

Europe, British Isles, South-West England, Wiltshire, Alton Barnes, Adam's Grave [Map]

Adam's Grave [Map] is a Severn Cotswolds type chambered. The chamber was made of sarsen stones. It contained partial human skeletons. An leaf shaped arrowhead was also recovered. The tomb was 70m long, around 7m high with ditches on either side. It was partially excavated by John Thurnam in 1860.

Adam's Grave [Map] Historic England Entry:

The monument includes Adam's Grave, a long barrow set on a promontory above a steep south-facing escarpment. It survives as a substantial earthwork orientated NW-SE and is trapezoid in plan. The barrow mound is 70m long, c.7m high and survives to an average width of 20m. Flanking ditches, from which material used to construct the mound was quarried, run parallel to the north and south sides of the mound. These are 7m wide and up to 2m deep. The south-east end of the monument was partially excavated by Thurnham in 1860. Finds included part of a chamber formed from large sarsen stones, traces of human skeletons and a leaf shaped arrowhead. Numerous other long barrows are known in the area while a broadly contemporary enclosure at Knap Hill [Map] is situated on an neighbouring promontory.

In 584 Ceawlin King Wessex was defeated, probably by the Britons, possibly by Ceol King Wessex at the First Battle of Woden's Barrow which fought at Adam's Grave [Map], Pewsey, Wiltshire.

In 715 Ceolred King Mercia and King Ine of Wessex (age 45) were defeated by an unknown army during the 715 Battle of Wanborough at Adam's Grave [Map].

Diary of a Dean by Merewether. 04 Aug 1849. Saturday, the 4th of August, was in the morning chiefly devoted to Silbury [Map]; and it was arranged that I should be left in charge, as the examination of the centre was every hour becoming more and more critical and interesting. After due consultation respecting Silbury, our steps were directed to a singularly interesting object, described as an Archdruid's barrow [West Kennet long barrow [Map]], lying three quarters of a mile south-east of Silbury Hill [Map]. This appellation I suppose has been adopted from Stukeley; it ranges about east and west, and is at least 150 ft. long, higher and broader at the east end, where it is 30 ft., than at the west. It had evidently been cut through on the ridge in several places, but not improbably, in most instances, merely for agricultural purposes. At the east end were lying, in a dislodged condition, at least 30 sarsen stones, in which might clearly be traced the chamber formed by the side uprights and large transom stones, and the similar but lower and smaller passage leading to it; and below, round the base of the east end, wre to be seen the portion of the circle or semicircle of stones bounding it. There are two other barrows of this kind in the neighbourhood, which I may mention in this place; the one [East Kennet Long Barrow [Map]] about three-quarters of a mile south-east of that just described, which is of much the same character as to shape and dimensions, but differs in construction. I was induced to visit this in consequence of having been informed by the occupier of the surrounding land, that he had caused a hole to be dug at the east end for the purpose of obtaining flints; but that he soon found that it was made up of round and generally flat sarsen stones, which came tumbling so about the men that they gave up the work. It has unfortunately been planted over, as have many of the larger barrows on Hacpen Hill; I think in bad taste. The other is situated on Alton Down [Adam's Grave [Map]?], south of Wansdyke: all these range in the same bearing, south-east by north-west. It is 130 ft. long by 30 high. This is still covered with turf, and has been opened about half-way along the ridge, but not effectually. It is remarkable for having, about half-way down the slope of the east end, a sarsen stone; another at the base in the centre. On the south side, in the trench formed by raising the mound, is a very curious earthwork, in form an oval, with a mound about 2 ft. high round it, and a sarsen stone in the centre; the whole about 40 feet long by 15 broad. In advance of the barrow eastward, and at its very base, is another earthwork, of similar height as to its mound, in a line at right angles with the central line, about 30 ft. long, with a return of 10 ft. on either side. These two curious objects I visited at so late a period of my Wiltshire sojourn, that I could not indulge in the gratification of examining them. It is a satisfaction to mention these three, in the hope that it may lead to the disclosure of their interesting contents at some future day.

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Wiltshire Archaeological Magazine 1868 V11 Pages 40-49. I have been somewhat particular in the description of the objects figured above, and of the barrow whence they were obtained, in order to distinguish them from some small and extremely delicate leaf-shaped arrow-heads of flint, which I have in several instances found in long barrows, properly so called, which seem to me to merit the name of the "long-barrow type of arrow-head" and as to which I will now offer some remarks.

In the summer of 1860 I made an excavation in a very large long barrow [Adam's Grave [Map]] on Walker's Hill, Alton Down, North Wilts. The barrow appears to have been a chambered one, and had been surrounded by an enclosing wall, as described in the Archaeologia.1 Among the debris of the ruined chamber, near the east end, I picked up the flint arrow-head by which my attention was first directed to the subject before us. This relic in its present state, measures about 1½ in. in length, and 8/10 of an inch in breadth. It is of a leaf-shape, delicately chipped at the edges and on both surfaces to a surprising tenuity, and weighs only thirty grains. Both points of this arrow-head were broken off when found, the fractures being evidently ancient. The total length when perfect must have been 1·8 inches, or 46 millimetres.

Note 1. Vol. xxxviii., p. 410. Salisbury vol. of Arch. Institute, 1849, p. 98. By the peasantry of the neighbourhood this barrow is known as "Old Adam [Map]," (meaning Adam's grave [Map]), and one of the stones at its base as "Little Eve." It is a conspicuous object in plate 2 of Hoare's Ancient Wilts, vol. ii., p. 8. The hill, corruptly named "Walker's Hill" on the Ordnance Map, is by the shepherds more properly called Walcway Hill. It is crossed by the ancient British ridge-way (continuation of the Icknield), — the Weala-wego or Welsh-way of an Anglo-Saxon charter in the Codex Winton (Alton Priors), See Jones's Domesday for Wiltshire, 1865, p. xxvii.

Wiltshire Archaeological Magazine 1913 V38 Pages 379-414. Alton Priors. 1 [Map]. 1 "Adam's Grave," or "Old Adam," on Walker's Hill. Length 130ft. ( Merewether); S.E. and N. W. Chambered. Opened by Thurnam in 1860. Near the east end there was a single chamber built of large sarsen stones; it had been previously disturbed, and he only found traces of human skeletons, and a finely worked leaf-shaped arrowhead of flint. There seems to have been a containing wall round the mound, of which remains were found near the eastern end, built of upright sarsen stones set a little distance apart, with the space between filled in with a dry walling of oolitic stones.2

This large and finely situated barrow has been a good deal disfigured by the various excavations in it, and several of the large sarsens discovered by Thurnam are partly exposed. The ditches on both sides are still quite distinct, but that on the north has been somewhat encroached upon by a chalk quarry. The damage in this direction is, however, not likely to be continued, attention having been called to it. The central ridge of the mound is still unusually sharp, a feature commented on by Hoare. Proc. Arch. Inst. Salisbury, p. 98; Smith p. 181, XII H. viii. a; O.M. 35, SW.; A. W. II. 12, 29; Arch. xxxviii. 410 i.; xlii. 203, 230; W.A.M. xi. 45.

Note 1. Referred to by Thurnam as "Walker Hill"

Note 2. The oolitic stone is foreign to this immediate locality. The same kind of walling with oolitic stone was found at West Kennet. See under Avebury.

Europe, British Isles, South-West England, Wiltshire, Bishops Canning, Easton Hill Long Barrow [Map]

Wiltshire Archaeological Magazine 1859 V6 Pages 317-336. Further east, on the summit of Easton Hill, are a long barrow [Easton Hill Long Barrow [Map]], and one of a fine bell-shape [Easton Hill Round Barrow [Map]].

12. In this last [Easton Hill Round Barrow [Map]], at the depth of two feet, was a grooved pin of bone two inches long, and a few scattered teeth and animal bones. At six feet was a large pile of burnt bones, probably those of a male; and below and around these, a quantity of wood ashes.

13. The long barrow [Easton Hill Long Barrow [Map]], of moderate size, ranges almost due east and west, has the usual slight trench on the north and south sides, not continued round the west or east end, which last is the highest and widest part of the mound. There were marks of former diggings at the east end, near which a large opening was made down to the natural soil. Here, were the scattered bones of four human skeletons, two adult males, and two apparently young persons. The teeth were much worn, the erosion being most marked on the outer edges of the lower, and inner edges of the upper, teeth. There were also a few chippings and fragments of Sarsen stones.

Wiltshire Archaeological Magazine 1913 V38 Pages 379-414. Bishops Cannings. 65. On Easton Down [Easton Hill Long Barrow [Map]], N. of Wansdyke. Length 132ft.; E. and W. Opened by Thurnam. It had been previously dug into, and Thurnam only found the scattered remains of four individuals (two male adults, and two young persons) near the E. end and a few chippings and fragments of sarsen stones. This barrow stands on uncultivated down, and is a conspicuous object from the road by Beckhampton. The mound has been rather disfigured by the diggings into it that have never been properly filled in; the ditches are distinct. Some rubble seems to have been taken away from the edge of the mound on the S. side. This barrow was referred to by Thurnam as "Easton Hill." O.N. 34 NE.; A.W. 11. Map of Marlborough Station; Arch. XLII. 180; W.A.M. VI. 323; Smith p. 112, VIII. E. VII. g.

For Long Barrow in Bishops Cannings parish, now destroyed, see end of this list.

Europe, British Isles, South-West England, Wiltshire, Bishops Canning, Horton Down 1 Long Barrow [Map]

Horton Down 1 Long Barrow [Map]. Historic England:

The monument includes a long barrow set across a ridge-top on an area of gently undulating chalk downland. The monument survives as a low earthwork, rectangular in plan and orientated NNW-SSE. The barrow mound is c.40 long by 15m across and survives to a height of 0.4m. Flanking ditches, from which material used to construct the mound was quarried, run parallel to the east and west sides of the mound. These have been infilled over the years and now survive as buried features c.5m across. Large quantities of worked flint, including retouched artefacts and cores, are visible both on the surface of the mound and in the immediate area around it. These are believed to be contemporary with the construction and use of the monument.

Wiltshire Archaeological Magazine 1924 V42 Pages 49-51. Unrecorded Long Barrow on Horton Down, Bishop's Cannings [Map]1,

O.M. Sheet XXXV. N.W. Parish of Bishop's Cannings. Horton Down. Height 700. On the west side of this sheet towards the top is the well-known square earthwork (Smith EK. VII. A.), alongside which is a pond. Standing by the latter and facing 5° W. of S., at 250 yards distance, is a long barrow hitherto unrecorded. Immediately east of Brown's Barn is a modern corrugated iron erection, from here the barrow is conspicuous on the sky line looking slightly N. of E. (all bearings magnetic). The barrow is 132 feet long by 36 feet broad, and roughly 3 feet high, and is now on the open grass down. There are several slight hollows along the highest part and in the S. end is a square pit, apparently dug down to the old surface level, with two small sarsens in it. The true bearing of the long axis of the barrow is 4° west of north, practically N. and S. The northern end is if anything slightly higher than the other. There are only the slightest traces of side trenches, but the absence of these appendages is no proof that a mound is not a long barrow.

Note 1. The references throughout these notes are to the six inch Ordnance Maps.

Europe, British Isles, South-West England, Wiltshire, Bishops Canning, Kitchen Barrow [Map]

Kitchen Barrow [Map]. Historic England:

The monument includes a long barrow, orientated SW-NE and set below the crest of a steep south-facing slope. The barrow mound has maximum dimensions of 33m long by 15m wide and survives to a height of 2m when viewed from the south-west. Flanking quarry ditches run parallel and contiguous to the barrow mound. These are 5m wide and up to 0.5m deep on the east side and 1m deep to the west. Central hollows on the surface of the mound suggest the site may once have been excavated. Worked flint artefacts, probably contemporary with the construction and use of the monument, are visible on the surface of the adjacent ploughed field.

Wiltshire Archaeological Magazine 1913 V38 Pages 379-414. Bishop's Cannings. 44. "Kitchen Barrow [Map]," on Kitchen Barrow Hill, S. of Wansdyke. Length 107ft.; width at broad end 64ft.; N.E. and S.W. Opened by Thurnam, who found skeletons at the N.E. end; they seem to have been previously disturbed, but no details are given. This barrow stands at the extreme end of an outstanding spur of the down, overlooking the Vale of Pewsey. The mound is very broad at one end, and tapers off very narrow at the other. The ditches are quite distinct and untouched, but the mound is in a very untidy and disturbed state; near the wide end there has been a considerable excavation never filled in, and in it a large sarsen stone; in addition to this hole much of the material of the mound has been taken away. The Rev. A. C. Smith speaks of "much broken ground all about, and many pits, as if of hut circles." These, however, appear more like old diggings, either for hard chalk or flint, than "hut circles," and it seems probable that the material from the barrow was carted away when this digging was going on. This barrow is almost certainly the one referred to by Thurnam as "Horton." O.N. 34 NE.; Arch. XLII.; Smith p. 114, Vlll. E. VIII. h.

Europe, British Isles, South-West England, Wiltshire, Bishops Canning, Shepherd's Shore Long Barrow [Map]

Shepherd's Shore Long Barrow [Map].

The monument includes a Neolithic Long Barrow, 650m WSW of Shepherds' Shore. It is situated on a false crest overlooking a slight valley to the south and west. The barrow is aligned ENE-WSW, is oval in shape and lies about 500m south of the Wansdyke. The barrow mound has been reduced by cultivation over the years but survives as a visible earthwork measuring 35m long and 16m wide. It stands up to 0.2m high. Originally, it stood at least 1m high and is known from partial excavation in the early 1800s to have contained both inhumation and cremation burials. Unusually, it appears that the barrow mound was constructed without flanking quarry ditches. Chalk and turf was gathered from nearby fields to construct the mound and use was made of the natural contours of the slope to enhance its profile.Historic England.

Wiltshire Archaeological Magazine 1859 V6 Pages 317-336. 1. The first is close to the London road at New Shepherd's Shore [Shepherd's Shore Long Barrow [Map]], and immediately adjacent to the remarkable triplet barrow, examined in 1804 and 1814 by Mr. Cunnington and Sir R. C. Hoare, the curious proportions of which are in course of gradual obliteration, by the foot-paths and trackways made across them to the adjacent farmstead and cottages.1 That we opened in 1855 is a bowl-shaped barrow about five and a half feet in height. In the centre, in a shallow cist scooped out of the chalk rock, was a deposit of burnt human bones, without an admixture of charcoal, or any object of art or other relic. It may be observed that when the other barrows of this group, including two of those forming the triplet, were opened, they were also found to cover interments after cremation.

Note 1. In June 1852, through the kindness of Mr. William Cunnington, the writer witnessed the large but unsuccessful excavation made in the large mound, the more northern of this triplet, which had previously baffled Sir R. C. Hoare. See Ancient Wilts, vol. II. p. 92. The external form of these curiously arranged barrows is well described by Mr. Falkner of Devizes, in the Archæologia, 1847, vol. XXXII. p. 457.