Tumulus [Monkton Fields Long Barrow [Map]] at Winterbourne-Monkton. Discovery of an Ancient Tumulus, At Winterbourne-Monkton.

A curious, and possibly important discovery, exhibiting one of the ancient modes of sepulture in this country, has recently been made at Winterbourne-Monkton, about three hundred yards west of "Mill-barrow [Map]," and a mile and-a-half north of Avebury.

For many years a large flat Sarsen stone [Monkton Fields Long Barrow [Map]] (partially seen above the surface of the ground) had been the cause of many ungentle maledictions from the various clod-hoppers, who, from time to time, have followed the plough’s-tail in this particular locality. Forbearance being worn out, Mr. Eyles, the present occupier of the land, by whose kindness and assistance we have been allowed to investigate the spot, sent several men to dig a large hole on one side of it,—in fact to bury it. Indoing this they found the soil beneath the stone to be of a different quality from the natural subsoil; which is here chalk marl. They consequently excavated part of the earth and found several human bones, when night put an end to their operations. This discovery led to a more minute investigation, the results of which are as follows:—

The stone is lying flat, and is of considerable size, measuring nine feet four or five inches, each way, and varying from two feet six inches, to nearly four feet in thickness. By removing the soil beneath the stone we discovered a chamber dug in the natural chalk about seven or eight feet in diameter, somewhat circular in shape, and four feet in depth measuring from the under surface of the stone. This chamber was paved at the bottom with small irregularly shaped Sarsen stones, placed so closely that a ‘pick’ could with difficulty be inserted between them. On this pavement were four or five human skeletons, in a most confused state, covered with Sarsen stones, weighing from ten pounds to a half a ewt. each, and about twenty or thirty in number—over these again was a layer of mould up to the top stone which covered all. The skeletons did not seem to have been deposited in any particular direction. The skulls, thigh-bones, &c., were in such close proximity that one would suppose they were originally placed in a sitting posture, when the weight of stones and earth would naturally force them into the apparently confused state in which we found them. The jaw bones were in excellent preservation, as were also the teeth. One jaw evidently belonged to a child, as the second teeth are not cut, but remain still in the jaw.

The skulls are at present in the possession of Dr. Thurnam, of Devizes, who has taken considerable pains to join the different portions together, and whose researches may at some future day throw light on the date of these "old world's children." It is remarkable that there is no trace of any barrow on the spot. The soil around the stone is of the same depth as in other parts of the field.

The stone was placed upon the bodies, earth, &c. This is plainly shown by its resting upon the soil itself with which the cavity was filled and not on the regular stratum of chalk around it, as would have been the case had the excavation been originally made under the stone and afterwards filled in,—and what further tends to confirm this opinion is the fact that the hole was originally dug slightly too large for the stone to cover it in one particular place, on the north-east side, which was filled up with Sarsen stones to the level of the surface of the ground. In the soil above the bodies, were solid masses of a black unctuous kind of earth, very soft when first brought out, but becoming almost as hard as brick when exposed to the air for a day or two, and containing small pieces of flint and charcoal, but with these exceptions it yielded to the knife like soap, which it also very much resembled to the touch.

The only conjecture that can be formed of the age of these remains, is derived from the much worn surfaces of the teeth, indicating that the food of the individuals must have consisted mainly of grain and roots. This implies a very early though probably not a primeval antiquity.

No pottery, burnt or otherwise, nor any implements of war have been found to stamp the precise date of this extraordinary sepulchre, and it therefore remains, together with other numerous relics of the strange customs of our ancestors in this perplexing neighbourhood, to baffle the researches of the ablest archæologists.

William Hillier.