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Unearthed Ancient British chieftain and probable shaman reveal secrets about old burial rituals


The once monumental final resting place of a probable prehistoric chieftain and, potentially, his shaman has been discovered in southwest England.

It’s one of the most fascinating archaeological discoveries in southern Britain in recent years. Significantly, the duo formed part of a remarkable social and political process which changed human history – and still shapes our world today.

The probable chieftain or prestigious leader – a man in his thirties or forties – had been interred underneath the centre of a large funerary mound which had been constructed specifically for him inside his own personal 20m diameter ditched enclosure.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/archaeology-anicent-british-chieftain-shaman-burial-ritual-a9480321.html

Note: It would be interesting to pinpoint this site near a confluence of four rivers..
moss Posted by moss
25th April 2020ce

Comments (3)


Is this it? Just outside Wantage?

https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/51.55230,-1.45069,15/poi/00f186bc-65b4-4120-ba06-b379bd1ecf8f
Howburn Digger Posted by Howburn Digger
25th April 2020ce
Had problems opening the Independent link but found this one as well -
https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/prehistoric-burial-0013613
Very exciting for me as Lechlade is just across the county border between Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. The river Cole which is one of the two small rivers which flow through parts of Swindon into the upper Thames. So much of the archaeology associated with Thames has disappeared so this is very significant.
tjj Posted by tjj
26th April 2020ce
Well if you are right and look at the Lechlade Cursus in Heritage Gateway, it comes in somewhere round here Howburn Digger............

https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=316&resourceID=108

Hi tjj, think many barrows have a relationship with water, it is obvious of course to settle near water, confluences may have religious significance though.
moss Posted by moss
26th April 2020ce
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