Windmill Tump Long Barrow View all content for Windmill Tump

Google Books 'Our British Ancestors: Who and what were they?' by the Rev. Samuel Lysons. MA, FSA, and Rector of Rodmarton he may have been, but he did write a considerable amount of guff which you will have to wade through. I suppose it's not his fault, but for some reason he thinks the Ancient Britons spoke Hebrew (or something similar), so all his theories are peppered with it. Anyway, overlooking this, he owned the land on which the long barrow stands. He had been 'discouraged' by his father and uncle in his youth, but in May 1863 (when no doubt they were dead and couldn't complain) he thought he'd have it dug up a bit. What is so interesting are the illustrations - it seems that the two stones at the East end are very big (8ft 6" - can this be true?) and they had a low wall between them, and another large stone resting on them at an angle. There are also diagrams of the N and S chambers, with their huge covering stones. On page 160 ther's a great drawing of the 'porthole' style chamber entrance. He disturbs the 13 peaceful occupants and their 'finely wrought' flints yet has the nerve to talk about earlier barrow diggers as ransackers and riflers; having been there today it makes me feel a bit sad.

Posted by Rhiannon 31st March 2008ce

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