Stonehenge Cursus Group

Also known as:
Monument No. 219681
Nearest town:
Wilton (12km S)
OS reference:
SU119428
OS sheet:
184
Latitude:
51° 11' 1.47 N
Longitude:
1° 49' 47 W
Added to TMA by

Images

Image of Stonehenge Cursus Group (Barrow / Cairn Cemetery) by thesweetcheat

Amesbury 48-51 have survived less well than the eastern group or the western group in and around Fargo Plantation. This image shows 50 in the foreground with 51 behind.

Image credit: A. Brookes (25.11.2017)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Jan 1, 2018
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Image of Stonehenge Cursus Group (Barrow / Cairn Cemetery) by Chance

View of Stonehenge Down looking west from the Cursus Barrow group towards the gap in the Fargo Plantation made by the Cursus.

Image credit: Chance
Chance
Chance May 31, 2010
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Image of Stonehenge Cursus Group (Barrow / Cairn Cemetery) by Chance

Bell-barrow,(Amesbury G43) recorded as No. 28 by Sir Richard Colt-Hoare and opened by Lord Pembroke in the year 1722 with no record of contents. Dimensions in 1957: mound dia. 99 ft; mound height 10 ft; berm width 25 ft; ditch width 18 ft; ditch depth 3 ft.

Image credit: Chance
Chance
Chance May 31, 2010
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Image of Stonehenge Cursus Group (Barrow / Cairn Cemetery) by Chance

Bell-barrow,(Amesbury G43) recorded as No. 28 by Sir Richard Colt-Hoare and opened by Lord Pembroke in the year 1722 with no record of contents. Dimensions in 1957: mound dia. 99 ft; mound height 10 ft; berm width 25 ft; ditch width 18 ft; ditch depth 3 ft.

Image credit: Chance
Chance
Chance May 31, 2010
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Image of Stonehenge Cursus Group (Barrow / Cairn Cemetery) by Chance

Bell-barrow (Amesbury G43) and Twin bell-barrow (Amesbury G44).

Bell-barrow was opened by Lord Pembroke in the year 1722 with no record of contents

The Twin bell-barrow was open by Stukeley who found

In W mound: high in the mound a skeleton, head to N. This was opened again in 1803 by William Cunnington who found, south of centre, a large oblong chalk-cut pit in which was a cremation with 6 horn beads.

In E mound: Stukeley found a cremation (primary or secondary ?) in an urn, with a bronze knife-dagger, bronze awl, gold-mounted amber disc, and faience beads, amber studs, amber beads and space-plates, and beads of shale and 'yellow glass'. He writes 'This person was a heroin, for we found the head of her javelin in brass'.

Image credit: Chance
Chance
Chance May 31, 2010
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Image of Stonehenge Cursus Group (Barrow / Cairn Cemetery) by Chance

Plate 30 – Prospect of the West end of the Cursus of Stonehenge

From Stonehenge, A Temple Restor'd to the British Druids, by William Stukeley, 1740

The Cursus and it's group of barrows looking east. A is the end of the Cursus and the Long Barrow; B is the gap on King's Barrows Ridge and the course of the Aveune; C is Stonehenge with the modern route of the A303.

Image credit: William Stukeley 1740
Chance
Chance May 31, 2010
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Image of Stonehenge Cursus Group (Barrow / Cairn Cemetery) by Chance

The Cursus group in 1810 from the map of the area made by Hoare. The numbers start at 28 and progress westwards to 44. The largest barrow, Amesbury G55 was marked as No.40 by Hoare as 'in point of size, the monarch of the plain'

Image credit: Sir Richard Colt-Hoare, 1810, Ancient Wiltshire, Vol.i
Chance
Chance May 30, 2010
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Articles

Stonehenge Cursus Group

William Cunnington – Commemorating 200 years of one of Britain’s first archaeologists

tjj
tjj Dec 26, 2010
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I posted something about William Cunnington, 200 year anniversary of death, at the beginning of December (now removed to avoid duplication). Am glad to see the Wiltshire Heritage Museum are marking the occasion. A 'must visit' to the museum some time very soon.

(From their website)

The Wiltshire Heritage Museum will be commemorating the 200th anniversary of the death of one of Britain's first archaeologists, William Cunnington, by displaying two fragile manuscripts not normally seen by the general public – the original account of the discovery of Bronze Age gold objects from a woman's grave at Upton Lovell, near Warminster, and beautiful watercolour drawings of the objects, painted by surveyor and artist Philip Crocker. Cunnington, who died on 31 December 1810 and is buried at Heytesbury Church, excavated hundreds of Bronze Age barrows in the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site, and discovered the most outstanding group of early Bronze Age finds in Britain, most of which are on permanent display in the Museum.

A wool merchant and linen draper from Heytesbury, William Cunnington became an archaeologist after being told by his doctor to 'ride out or die'. He was fascinated by the prehistoric remains he saw all around him, and in 1803 he began to excavate for Sir Richard Colt Hoare, the owner of the Stourhead Estate and a member of a wealthy banking family. Colt Hoare, who was by his own admission 'barrow mad', provided the finance for the excavations and later published the results in the pioneering History of Ancient Wiltshire – the first account of the archaeology of the County.

Cunnington was a pioneer of excavation and the first scientific archaeologist. He was thorough, paid careful attention to detail when excavating and had a painstaking regard for the facts. He wrote many comprehensive reports and the Museum holds thirteen manuscript books, bound into three volumes, containing the records of his excavations. The objects he excavated were acquired by Sir Richard Colt Hoare in 1818 and in 1883 they were acquired for the Museum where they are still on display and remain vitally important for archaeological research.

Lisa Webb, Curator says, "the Stourhead Collection contains many unique and rare artefacts including fine examples of prehistoric pottery, weapons and jewellery, which form the core of the permanent displays at the Museum. I am delighted that we are able to put on display some of the unique and beautiful drawings made by Philip Crocker which we rarely show visitors because of their fragile nature."

The items will be on display until late January. Usual Museum admission charges apply.

wiltshireheritage.org.uk/news/?Action=8&id=124&home=1

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Stonehenge Cursus Group

Spiddly
Spiddly Jun 16, 2012
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13th June 2012.

Equally as impressive as Stonehenge were the sight of barrow graves on the horizon as far as the eye could see.

I was saddened to see the lack of interest from tourists in the final resting place of tribal kings of old, but their indifference was my gain as I and occasional souls explored the Cursus.

I found it to be a peaceful respite from the chatter and commercial nature of Stonehenge. Sitting atop on a barrow, one can easily imagine what it was like before the arrival of roads, car parks and coaches. It seems there is a greater sense of energy to be found here than in the famed stones.

I've made a short film that details my time at the Cursus and Stonehenge. I hope you enjoy it.

vimeo.com/44015288

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Stonehenge Cursus Group

C
CARL Jun 15, 2010
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Visited 12.6.10.

I parked in the official car park (I have a CADW pass so it didn't cost me anything!) and along with Dafydd walked up through the field to the barrows. There were quite a few people making the same walk in the summer sunshine and everyone seemed to show a great interest in the site. The barrows are well preserved although they are showing signs of wear and tear with all the foot traffic. Sitting on top of the barrow Dafydd enjoyed his sweets and I enjoyed the view north to the Cursus and south to the circle.

A pleasant little walk and well worth it. I wouldn't be surprised if this site is restricted at some point.

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Stonehenge Cursus Group

formicaant
formicaant May 29, 2009
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I decided my my 8 year old nephew and 6 year old neice should see Stonehenge, as they hadn't even heard of it. They were very impressed with the stones, but were more interested in the barrows because of the possibility of bodies being buried in them!

This is an extended group, the main set comprising 1 bowl and 3 bell barrows, a single bell and a twin bell, formed as 2 pairs. The bell barrows are particularly well formed types of they're class. There are another 3 bowls and 1 bell outlying to the west.

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Miscellaneous

Stonehenge Cursus Group
Barrow / Cairn Cemetery
Chance
Chance Sep 21, 2012
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Details of Barrow Group on Pastscape

A Neolithic and Bronze Age round barrow cemetery located mostly south of the western end of the Cursus (Monument Number 219546). The cemetery extends 1200m east / west along a ridge and measures 250m wide. It comprises the round barrows recorded as Winterbourne Stoke 28 to 30 and Amesbury 43 to 56, plus the Fargo hengiform. See the individual Child records for details concerning the specific barrows. All of the barrows were examined by Colt Hoare in the early 19th century. The round barrows were surveyed by English Heritage in 2009 and 2010 as part of the Stonehenge WHS Landscape Project.

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Miscellaneous

Stonehenge Cursus Group
Barrow / Cairn Cemetery
Chance
Chance May 30, 2010
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The following account of the Cursus group of barrows comes from William Stukeley in 1740 and moves westwards.

On the 1810 map by Hoare, the numbers would equate to 28 onwards.

This account contains all we know of the contains from some of these barrows.

In 1722, my late Lord Pembroke, Earl Thomas, who was pleas'd to favour my inquiries at this place, open'd a barrow, in order to find the position of the body observ'd in these early days. He pitch'd upon one of those south of Stonehenge, close upon the road thither from Wilton: and on the east side of the road. 'Tis one of the double barrows, or where two are inclos'd in one ditch: one of those, which I suppose the later kind, and of a fine turn'd bell-fashion. It may be seen in Plate IX. On the west side, he made a section from the top to the bottom, an intire segment, from center to circumference. The manner of composition of the barrow was good earth, quite thro', except a coat of chalk of about two foot thickness, covering it quite over, under the turf. Hence it appears, that the method of making these barrows was to dig up the turf for a great space round, till the barrow was brought to its intended bulk. Then with the chalk, dug out of the environing ditch, they powder'd it all over. So that for a considerable time, these barrows must have look'd white: even for some number of years. And the notion of sanctity annex'd to them, forbid people trampling on them, till perfectly settled and turf'd over. Hence the neatness of their form to this day. At the top or center of this barrow, not above three foot under the surface, my Lord found the skeleton of the interr'd; perfect, of a reasonable size, the head lying toward Stonehenge, or northward.

The year following, in order to prosecute this inquiry, by my Lord's order, I begun upon a barrow north of Stonehenge, in that group south of the cursus. 'Tis one of the double barrows there: and the more easterly, and lower of the two: likewise somewhat less. It was reasonable to believe, this was the sepulture of a man and his wise: and that the lesser was the female: and so it prov'd, at least a daughter. We made a large cut on the top from east to west. After the turf taken off, we came to the layer of chalk, as before, then fine garden mould. About three foot below the surface, a layer of flints, humouring the convexity of the barrow. These flints are gather'd from the surface of the downs in some places, especially where it has been plow'd. This being about a foot thick, rested on a layer of soft mould another foot: in which was inclos'd an urn full of bones. This urn was of unbak'd clay, of a dark reddish colour: crumbled into pieces. It had been rudely wrought with small mouldings round the verge, and other circular channels on the outside, with several indentures between, made with a pointed tool, as depicted in Plate XXXII. where I have drawn all the sorts of things found in this barrow.

The bones had been burnt, and crouded all together in a little heap, not so much as a hat crown would contain. The collar bone, and one side of the under-jaw are grav'd in their true magnitude. It appears to have been a girl of about 14 years old, by their bulk and the great quantity of female ornaments mix'd with the bones, all which we gather'd. Beads of all sorts, and in great number, of glass of divers colours, most yellow, one black. Many single, many in long pieces notch'd between, so as to resemble a string of beads, and these were generally of a blue colour. There were many of amber, of all shapes and sizes, flat squares, long squares, round, oblong, little and great. Likewise many of earth, of different shapes, magnitude and colour, some little and white, many large and flattish like a button, others like a pully. But all had holes to run a string thro', either thro' their diameter, or sides. Many of the button sort seem to have been cover'd with metal, there being a rim work'd in them, wherein to turn the edge of the covering. One of these was cover'd with a thin film of pure gold. These were the young lady's ornaments. And had all undergone the fire: so that what would easily consume fell to pieces as soon as handled. Much of the amber burnt half thro'. This person was a heroin, for we found the head of her javelin in brass. At bottom are two holes for the pins that fastned it to the staff. Besides, there was a sharp bodkin, round at one end, square at the other, where it went into a handle. I still preserve whatever is permanent of these trinkets. But we recompos'd the ashes of the illustrious defunct, and cover'd them with earth. Leaving visible marks at top, of the barrow having been open'd, to dissuade any other from again disturbing them: and this was our practice in all the rest.

Then we op'd the next barrow to it, inclos'd in the same ditch, which we suppos'd the husband or father of this lady. At fourteen inches deep, the mould being mix'd with chalk, we came to the intire skeleton of a man. The skull and all the bones exceedingly rotten and perish'd, thro' length of time. Tho' this was a barrow of the latest sort, as we conjecture. The body lay north and south, the head to the north, as that Lord Pembroke open'd.

Stukeley then goes on to descried the rest of the barrow group looking west. The largest barrow, Amesbury G55 was marked as No.40 by Hoare as 'in point of size, the monarch of the plain'.
Next, I went westward, to a group of barrows whence Stonehenge bears east north-east. Here is a large barrow ditch'd about, but of an ancient make. On that side next Stonehenge are ten lesser, small, and as it were crouded together. South of the great one is another barrow, larger than those of the group, but not equalling the first. It would seem, that a man and his wife were bury'd in the two larger, and that the rest were of their children or dependants. One of the small ones, 20 cubits in diameter, I cut thro', with a pit nine foot in diameter, to the surface of the natural chalk, in the center of the barrow; where was a little hole cut. A child's body (as it seems) had been burnt here, and cover'd up in that hole: but thro' the length of time consum'd. From three foot deep, we found much wood ashes soft and black as ink, same little bits of an urn, and black and red earth very rotten. Some small lumps of earth red as vermilion: some flints burnt thro'. Toward the bottom a great quantity of ashes and burnt bones. From this place I could count 128 barrows in sight.
Stonehenge, A Temple Restor'd to the British Druids, by William Stukeley, 1740

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