Built some 5,000 years ago, this Neolithic long barrow forms part of the Cotswold Severn group.
It has been excavated twice: by George Witts in 1881 and more extensively by E M Clifford in 1934–5. The earlier excavations revealed that some of the chambers had been previously explored and looted.
The stones were grassed over in 1976 to protect them from further deterioration.
Winter is a good time to visit this site as the trees, which have now grown up around the barrow, will have lost their leaves and the position of the barrow on the crest of a high ridge across the Cotswold Hills can be appreciated. Also, the grass, which now covers the site, will be shorter – it is allowed to grow through the summer months to encourage rare plants.
The tomb underneath this grassy mound has to be imagined.
Trapezoidal in plan, it is 157 feet (48 metres) long, 79 feet (24 metres) wide and was once retained by an enclosing double kerb of stone. The entrance to the barrow faces east and, in front of the mound, was a curved forecourt that might have been used for ceremonies.
A central passage leads from the entrance, with two opposing pairs of chambers opening off it with a fifth chamber at the far end.
Burials
Beyond this, and an unusual feature, was a circular, domed structure covering a stone-lined grave. This appears to be the earliest feature on the site and contained the crouched burial of an adult male.
On top of the structure were the bones of a young female.
The remains of at least six individuals were found in the passage and chambers, and those of two or more young people beneath the forecourt. There were also teeth and bones from an ox, a dog’s tooth, a leaf-shaped flint arrowhead, a black oval bead and sherds of pottery. These items probably had some ritual significance and, together with the skeletons, are now in Cheltenham Museum.
The text and pictures on this page are derived from the 'Heritage Unlocked' series of guidebooks published in 2004. We intend to review, update and enhance the content in the near future as part of the Portico project, whose objective is to provide information on the history, significance, research background and sources for all English Heritage properties.
