Excavations have shown that the barrow seen today covers an earlier burial structure.
The first monument here, built between 3590 and 3555 BC, was a mortuary structure of stone and wood. On a pavement of sarsen stone slabs lay a narrow wooden box, into which people were successively placed. Two split tree-trunks were positioned upright at each end.
Construction and use
The remains of 14 people, comprising 11 males, two females and a child, were discovered in the structure, when it was excavated in 1963. New radiocarbon dating has shown that the first burials were probably placed there in 3590–3555 BC, and the last in 3580–3550 BC.
The barrow was therefore used for no more than 15 years, less than a single generation. It is also possible that the barrow was used for an even shorter period of time, perhaps just a year.
Closure
We don’t know what circumstances caused this group of people to be interred over such a short period. Perhaps the group suffered some illness or injury during conflict. There are potentially three or more people who suffered lethal arrowhead strikes, and two individuals whose remains were subject to scavenging by animals before burial.
After a period of between 40 and 100 years, the structure was covered by an oval mound of chalk and earth, derived from two flanking ditches. This act signalled the closure of the barrow, but its significance was not forgotten.
Disclaimer
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.
