Chance

The Two Battles of Adams Grave

Two battles are recorded as having been fought at Wodnesbeorh (Woden’s barrow) probably the long barrow now called Adam’s Grave (see SU 16 SW 24). The first battle in AD 592 ended in a defeat of Ceawlin, the second in AD 715 was fought between Ine and Ceolred

Details of AD 592 Battle on Pastscape

The site of the Battle of Woden’s Barrow, which is also known as the Battle of Wodnesbeorh and the Battle of Adam’s Grave, is located in Alton in Wiltshire. The battle was fought in 592 AD between the West Saxon Ceawlin and a British force. Ceawlin was defeated. Burne sites this battle-field as being at New Town, where the Ridgeway meets the modern Marlborough road. SU1163

Details of Battle AD 715 on Pastscape

This was probably fought near the long barrow called Woden’s Barrow (SU 16 SW 24) at New Town where the Ridgeway meets the modern Marlborough Road. This battle was fought between Ine, King of Wessex and Ceolred, King of Mercia.
The site of the Battle of Woden’s Barrow, which is also known as the Battle of Adam’s Grave, the Battle of Alton Priors and the Battle of Wodnesbeorh, is located in Alton in Wiltshire. The battle was fought in 715 AD between King Ine of Wessex and King Ceolred of Mercia. The battle was fought on the same site as the earlier battle of 592 AD.
The National Grid Reference for the site of the battle is: SU1163

Iron-Age earthworks associated with the battle of Sidbury Hill and King Ina

Details of Stone on Pastscape

Monument No. 969799

Large sarsen mentioned in Anglo Saxon charter. Still in place in 1965, no trace of it could be found by 1985.

Large Sarsen stone with hole in, thus matching description in Anglo-Saxon charter. (1)
When visited in 1965 by DOE inspectors the stone was still in place, but on a subsequent visit in 1985, no trace could be found. (2)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOURCE TEXT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) General reference Report Marlborough College Natural History Society, 80, 1931, 69-71, illus pl iv.
(2) General reference DOE Ancient Monuments List Wilts 10/86.

Details of Barrow on Pastscape

Monument No. 221100 – Alton 7

A Bronze Age bowl barrow, listed Grinsell as Alton 7, appears to overly a shallow circular depression c30 metres across and up to 0.2m deep, interpreted as a possible source of barrow mound material. The barrow is also partially overlain by the enclosure SU 16 SW 27. A second mound cannot be definitely identified as a barrow because of its disturbed appearance, but it appears to overly an oval enclosure 30 metres by 25 metres, formed by a ditch with internal bank.

Details of Barrow on Pastscape

Monument No. 221148 – Alton 12

Probable Bronze Age bowl barrow, listed by Grinsell as Alton 12, located c300 yards west of New Town. It survives as a much mutilated amorphous mound 15 metres in diameter and 0.5 metres high.

The possible Bronze Age barrow described by the previous authorities is situated in an area of disturbed ground and was not discernible from other ground swellings visible on the available aerial photographs.

Details of Barrow Group on Pastscape

Monument No. 221094

Three Bronze Age bowl barrows on Walker’s Hill, listed by Grinsell as Alton 2, 3 & 4. 2 and 4 were both excavated by Thurnam in the 1850s, who reported finding “marks of interment after cremation” only. All three are still extant as earthwork mounds, Alton 3 with traces of a surrounding ditch.

Details of Barrow on Pastscape

Monument No. 1461996 – Alton 15

A Bronze Age bell barrow, part of a barrow group, situated to the southwest of Knap Cottage on Walkers Hill. The barrow was designated as Alton 15 by Grinsell (1957) and is visible as an earthwork 24 metres in diameter, 2 metres high and comprises a central mound 9 metres wide, situated on top of a wider flatter mound. No traces of the barrow ditch survive. The barrow is connected to the other bell barrow (Monument HOB UID 1461989) by a Medieval pillow mound (Monument HOB UID 1461987).

Details of Barrow on Pastscape

Monument No. 1461989 – Alton 16

A Bronze Age bell barrow, part of a barrow group, situated to the southwest of Knap Cottage on Walkers Hill. The barrow was designated as Alton 16 by Grinsell (1957) and visible as an earthwork 24 metres in diameter and 2 metres high. No traces of the barrow ditch are visible. It is is the most northern of the barrow group and is connected to another bell barrow (Monument HOB UID 1461996) by a Medieval pillow mound (Monument HOB UID 1461987).

Details of Barrow on Pastscape

Monument No. 221097 – Alton 6

A Bronze Age bowl barrow, part of a barrow group southwest of Knap Cottage on Walkers Hill. The barrow was designated as Alton 6 by Grinsell (1957) is situated to the southwest of the group and survives as an earthwork 16 metres in diameter and 0.5 metres high. No traces of the barrow ditch survive. Excavations by J. Thurnham during the 1850s recorded a previously disturbed cremation and an extended female inhumation which he interpreted as intrusive, presumably early medieval.

Details of the Neolithic causewayed enclosure on Pastscape

The site of Knap Hill, a Neolithic causewayed enclosure. It encompasses an area of circa 2.4 hectares and consists of a single circuit of sub-triangular plan, conforming to the contours of the hill and possibly incomplete on the steepest, southern side. Exceptionally compared to other enclosures, the causeways seem to correspond precisely to gaps in the bank. It is unclear if the earthworks ever formed a complete enclosure. Excavations by the Cunningtons in 1908-9 first demonstrated the causewayed nature of the earthworks, as well as recovering pottery which they felt to be Neolithic in date. Further excavations in 1961 confirmed the Cunningtons’ observations. Romano-British pottery and an extended inhumation probably relates to the adjacent, later earthwork enclosure. The site and its archaeological history were re-investigated as part of the RCHME project focusing on enclosure and industry in the Neolithic period in 1995. Knap Hill was also subsequently included in a research programme into the dating of the early Neolithic causewayed enclosures of southern Britain and of Ireland. The results suggested that Knap Hill was probably constructed in the 35th century cal BC, (that is to say between 3500-4001cal BC) probably more than a century later than Windmill Hill and the West Kennet long barrow. It is unclear, however, for how long activity continued. On the basis that the ditch was left to infill naturally, that there is no sign of recutting, and because there is a scarcity of sherds and bones, a short duration, probably of well under a century and perhaps only a generation or two, is possible.

Details of the Iron Age Enclosure on Pastscape

Earthwork enclosure of probable Iron Age and Romano-British date, immediately adjacent to the Neolithic causewayed enclosure on Knap Hill (SU 16 SW 22). Excavations occurred at the enclosure in 1908-9, finds including pottery, animal remains, a quern, remains of a human infant, a brooch of probable Iron Age date and numerous other artefact types. A “T-shaped hypocaust or fireplace” may well be a corn-drier. The presence of possible building stone plus the other artefacts has prompted the site’s inclusion in Scott’s gazetteer of Roman villas. A Saxon sword was also found, while pottery and clay pipes of 17th century date also point to some activity within the enclosure at this time. A square embanked area at the east side of the enclosure is probably a Post Medieval dew pond.

Details of Long Barrow on Pastscape

Neolithic long barrow, identified with the “Wodnesborge” of a charter of 825 AD. Listed by Grinsell as Alton 14. The mound was excavated by Thurnam in 1860. He found traces of primary interments plus a leaf arrowhead. The barrow mound survives as an earthwork 65 metres long and 28 metres wide at its south eastern end, narrowing to 16 metres at its north western end. It stands up to 6.5 metres high, and is flanked by side ditches up to 1.5 metres deep. A later mound has been constructed over the southern end of each of the side ditches. Both are suggested to be pillow mounds. A square enclosure, with sides 18 metres long, partly overlies the south east end of the barrow.

Details of Long Barrow on Pastscape

Monument No. 219590

Suggested location of a Neolithic long barrow, listed by Grinsell as Amesbury 10a. The mound was excavated by Colt Hoare in the early 19th century without result. Ordnance Survey field investigation in 1971 recorded a denuded low oval mound 26 metres in length and a maximum of 30 centimetres high. The mound has since been scheduled as an oval barrow. However, geophysical survey in 1993-4 failed to record any trace of flanking ditches, and nothing has been observed on aerial photographs, although features representing Colt Hoare’s trenches appear to have been located. It is therefore suggested that the identification of Amesbury 10a as a barrow is doubtful, and the mound may well be a natural feature.

Details of Barrow on Pastscape

Monument No. 219687

Bronze Age oval twin disc barrow, listed by Grinsell as Amesbury 10, located on Stonehenge Down to the south west of Stonehenge. Excavation by Colt Hoare in the early 19th century recovered a primary cremation from one of the mounds, though it is not clear which. Geophysical survey in 1993-4 recorded a slightly oval surrounding ditch. The earthworks have suffered some damage. A central mound measuring 16 metres by 12 metres, and up to 0.5 metres high, can no longer be clearly identified as two distinct barrow mounds. The surrounding bank and ditch measures 43 to 45 metres in overall diameter.

Details of Long Barrow on Pastscape

Monument No. 219693

A Neolithic long barrow, listed as Amesbury 14 by Grinsell, and located North of Normanton Gorse. Excavations by Colt Hoare in the early 19th century failed to find any burials. Excavations by Thurnam in the mid-19th century uncovered three skeletons described by him as primary interments. Two of the skulls had been cleft before burial. He also found two crouched inhumations which he regarded as secondary burials. The barrow is still extant as an earthwork.

Details of Long Barrow on Pastscape

Amesbury 42

A Neolithic long barrow survives as very slight earthworks which have been ploughed nearly level. It is located 20m east of the eastern end of the Stonehenge Cursus (Monument Number 219546) and comprises a linear bank that extends roughly north / south for circa 70m and is flanked by a ditch to either side. The bank measures 20m wide and the ditches circa 11m wide. Excavation by Thurnam in 1866 found only secondary interments: the skeletons of two infants and a crouched adult inhumation, as well as animal bones including an ox skull. The barrow was listed as Amesbury 42 by Goddard (1913) and as a long barrow by Grinsell (1957). Sample excavation was undertaken in the 1980s as part of the Stonehenge Environs Project (Richards 1990). Finds included in situ knapping debris in the flanking ditch, plus potsherds representing Beakers, Collared Urns and Late Bronze Age vessels, as well as a quantity of Roman-British sherds. Animal bones also came from ditch fills associated with Bronze Age and Roman pottery. The surviving earthworks were surveyed by English Heritage as part of the Stonehenge WHS Landscape Project.

Station Stones

Details of stones on Pastscape

Four sarsen stones at Stonehenge placed inside the internal bank of the henge, roughly on the line of the Aubrey Holes (see SU 14 SW 4 for Stonehenge). Two, known as the North Barrow and South Barrow, are surrounded by circular ditches, which gave rise to suggestions that they might have been round barrows. As a result, the have been listed by Grinsell as Amesbury 12 and 13, a possible saucer barrow and possible bowl barrow respectively. They are not barrows. Both now lack their stones. The North Barrow has seen excavation, confirming the presence of the stone hole. The other two unenclosed Station Stones still feature their sarsens, one upright and one fallen. The four sarsen Station Stones are assigned to Phase 3a in Cleal et al’s (1995) new phasing of Stonehenge. The ditches around the two “barrows” are assigned to Phase 3b, the date in each case being broadly Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age.

Details of site on Pastscape

A univallate hillfort of probable Iron Age date, enclosing an area of circa 15 hectares situated on the southern end of a narrow spur within a meander of the River Avon. The hillfort has an entrance to the north and another probable entrance in the south. Road widening in 1964 showed the rampart to have two phases of construction, with pottery recovered from both phases (the first phase was associated with sherds described as Iron Age “A/B”, the second with Iron Age “C”). The rampart survives to a maximum height of 2 metres on the west, north and south-east sides. Elsewhere it is present as a scarp with no surmounting bank. Part of the eastern rampart has been modified by 18th century landscaping, and a grotto (SU 14 SW 217) is incorporated within it. The interior was also landscaped during the 18th century when the hillfort was incorporated within the park of Amesbury House (SU 14 SW 261). The southernmost part of the hillfort is separated from the remainder by Stonehenge Road and has been built on.

Details of Barrow Group on Pastscape

A group of nine bowl barrows which together form the major part of a linear round barrow cemetery known as Newton Barrows on Earl’s Farm Down. Six of the barrows are arranged in a line broadly north east to south west along the summit of a ridge on a north west facing slope. A further two barrows are situated below the ridge, south east of the main row and a third is located west of the most northerly barrow in the main row. All of the barrows survive as earthworks with mounds ranging in size from 22 metres to 30 metres in diameter and from 0.8 metres to 3 metres high. The most southerly barrow of the group has been destroyed on its south side by the cutting of the now dismantled Amesbury Light Railway. One of the barrow mound supports a World War II gun emplacement. The barrows are visible as earthworks on aerial photographs. Scheduled.

Details of Barrow Group on Pastscape

A linear round barrow cemetery comprising 7 Early Bronze Age round barrows situated within a Post Medieval plantation. The cemetery was named “The New King Barrows” by Stukeley; although the barrows are also known as Seven Barrows. One of the Seven Barrows was opened in 1649 and found to contain “Coales and pieces of goates hornes and stagges horns”, while another contained “a bugle-horn tipt with silver at both end” (though these could equally be part of the Old King Barrows barrow cemetery to the north, which is also known as Seven Barrows (Monument Number 219756)). The round barrows were listed as Amesbury 26 to 32 by Goddard (1913) and as three bell and four bowl barrows by Grinsell (1957). Storm damage in 1987 and 1990 resulted in some archaeological investigation of the cemetery and the earthworks were surveyed by RCHME in 1990. Additional observations were made in April 2011 as part of English Heritage’s Stonehenge WHS landscape project – rapid field investigations. See individual barrow records (SU 14 SW 362 to 368) for specific details.

Details of site on Pastscape

A pair of roughly parallel earthwork banks, each with an outer quarry ditch, running from the River Avon at Amesbury to Stonehenge. The Avenue is generally regarded as representing a processional approach to Stonehenge, and has sometimes been linked with the postulated movement of the blusetones from the Avon to the monument. From the Avon, the Avenue runs about 1km northwest befor curving gently to the west for around 500 metres. It then runs west-north-west in a straight line for 850 metres before turning abruptly to the south-west for a final, straight 530 metre stretch to Stonehenge. The Avenue is circa 34 metres wide near the Avon, gradually narrowing to around 21.5 metres at Stonehenge. Apart from the final straight length towards Stonehenge, much of the Avenue survives only as cropmarks. There is no good evidence to support the idea that the Avenue ever featured a stone setting. Details of all excavations along the course of the Avenue are provided and discussed by Cleal et al (1995). It is regarded as part of Stonehenge Phase 3 (late Neolithic-early Bronze Age, c2500 to 1600BC), and essentially as a single phase monument, contrary to Atkinson’s previous phasing. Scheduled.

SU 1230 4224 – SU 1270 4258: The Avenue (AT), (SU 1270 4258 – SU 1416 4155: The Avenue (AT) (course of) (NAT) (1)
Stone records a further northeast extension of the Avenue (to SU 1340 4310) eventually linking to the River Avon at West Amesbury, seen as two dark lines under the plough. (2)

Details of site on Pastscape

Monument No. 219856

Three large Mesolithic post holes plus a possible tree-throw hole found during excavations in Stonehenge car park in 1966. The post holes had each held substantial timber posts which appear to have rotted in situ. All fragments of wood and charcoal analysed appear to be pine. Radiocarbon dates placed each of the post holes in the early Mesolithic, circa 8500 to 7650 BC. The fourth feature did not contain evidence for a timber post, and was interpreted as a tree-throw hole. It’s date is uncertain. However, it is positioned on the same line as the three post holes. No artefacts were recovered from any of the features. Although it is unclear if the post-holes were contemporary or successive features, they appear to represent a structure or structures with no direct parallels in the British Mesolithic. Speculation as to their function has so far focused on comparisons totem poles and other foci for formalised and/or ritual display.

Details of site on Pastscape

Monument No. 1099688

A pit of Mesolithic date encountered during excvations in the car park at Stonehenge in 1988-9. The feature appears to have been dug initially as a post pit, similar to features excavated further to the west in the 1960s (SU 14 SW 156). The fill and profile also demonstrate an episode of recutting and backfilling, perhaps associated with removal of the post. Mesolithic post holes, particularly of this size, are uncommon, and the occurrence of a group of four or five (see SU 14 SW 156) represents a structure or structures with no direct parallels in the British Mesolithic.

(1) Rosamund M J Cleal, K E Walker and R Montague ... [et al] 1995 Stonehenge in its landscape : twentieth-century excavations English Heritage archaeological reports [new series]1 (1994) – 10 Page(s)41-62, 470-3

Details of site on Pastscape

Monument No.. 959344

Excavations in 1979 on the site of the public conveniences in the visitors’ car park at Stonehenge uncovered 38 stakeholes. Flint debitage comprising a primary flake, 21 secondary flakes and other items, tentatively dated to the Neolithic, were also found.

SU 123423: Excavations within the northwest corner of Stonehenge Vistor’s car park located 38 stakeholes. These had an average diameter of 5cm, depth 10-12 cm, and have been given a possible Iron Age date by the excavator. Evidence of a Neolithic flint working site was also noted. (1-2)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOURCE TEXT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
( 1) The Wiltshire archaeological and natural history magazine Smith, G, Excavations in the Stonehenge Car Park 74/5, 1979/80 Page(s)181
( 2) by Frances Blore, et al. 1995 Archaeological assessment of the Stonehenge World Heritage Site and its surrounding landscape Record number 704 Page(s)237

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.

Details of site on Pastscape

Neolithic cursus, comprising a long, narrow earthwork enclosure circa 2.7 kilometres long, and varying in width from 100 to 150 metres. The cursus is orientated roughly east-west, passing within circa 700 metres of Stonehenge (SU 14 SW 4), which is located to the south. Both ends of the cursus are square in plan with rounded corners. Two round barrows lie within the cursus interior at its western end. Much of the cursus bank and ditch survives as earthworks, the bank to a maximum height of 0.4 metres, and 6.5 metres width. Small scale excavations occurred in 1947, 1959 and 1983, plus some reconstruction work in 1987. Dating evidence for the main phase of use is limited, but construction has been assigned to a period contemporary with phase 1 at Stonehenge (circa 2950-2900BC), and the main use of the monument is believed to have come to an end during phase 2 (circa 2900-2400BC).

Details of Barrow on Pastscape

The Monarch of the Plain (Amesbury 55) is a very large Bronze Age bell barrow which survives as an earthwork. It comprises a circular mound which sits on a sloping berm, surrounded by a ring ditch. The monument stands 2.8m above the surrounding ground level and measures a maximum of 58m in diameter. Excavation by Colt Hoare (Barrow 40) in the early 19th century found only charred wood. The barrow was listed by Goddard and Grinsell as Amesbury 55. The round barrow was surveyed at 1:1,000 scale by English Heritage in March 2010 as part of the Stonehenge WHS Landscape Project. It has been damaged by burrowing rabbits and early 20th century vehicular activity.

Details of Henge on Pastscape

A small Neolithic / Bronze Age hengiform enclosure, located within Fargo Plantation and one of the circular monuments known as the Cursus Barrow Group (Monument Number 219681). An irregular hollow, circa 8.5m in diameter, is recognisable at the approximate location of Stone’s 1938 excavation, which found a ring ditch surrounding a levelled sub-circular area circa 6 metres by 4 metres which featured entrances or causeways at the northern and southern ends. There may originally have been an external bank. The enclosed central area contained a roughly central sub-rectangular grave pit containing an incomplete inhumation, although it is unclear whether or not the full skeleton was ever present. The inhumation seems to have been accompanied by a Beaker. Two further cremations in shallow holes dug into the floor of the pit, one possibly accompanied by a Food Vessel, seem to have been broadly contemporary. A third cremation had been inserted into the backfilled grave at a later date. A sherd of Peterborough Ware, a fragment of bluestone, and some antlers were recovered from the ditch. The earthworks were observed by English Heritage in November 2010 during a rapid field investigation (Level 1 survey) of Fargo South as part of the Stonehenge WHS Landscape Project.

Details of Henge on Pastscape

A henge, surviving as a cropmark and initially recorded as a ploughed-out disc barrow. The monument was subject to surface collection, geophysical survey and excavation in 1980 as part of the Stonehenge Environs Project. The whole site slopes gently to the south, and the interior of the enclosure appears to have been cut back into the hillside in order to create a level interior platform. Excavation confirmed that the enclosing ditch, with a single entrance to the north east, had been accompanied by an external bank. Various internal features were excavated, comprising a few pits and postholes, numerous stakeholes, and an arc of postholes concentric to the inner edge of the enclosure ditch which may have represented a post-circle. Some of the internal features probably pre-dated enclosure construction, and pottery from the site suggests that activity spanned the Early Neolithic through to the Middle Bronze Age. At the entrance, the one ditch terminal to be excavated contained a large, apparently cumulative deposit, including a substantial quantity of cattle bones and lithic material indicative of carcase preparation and cooking associated with Beaker pottery. Bones of a white-tailed sea eagle were found elsehwere in the ditch. An Early Neolithic pit containing a considerable quantity of deposited material was also found just outside the henge (see SU 14 SW 292).

Details of Triple Bell Barrow on Pastscape

Monument No. 218294

A triple bell barrow. It is an unusual form of round barrow, originally constructed as three contiguous mounds, aligned east west, surrounded by a ditch. The most easterly part is either a flint cairn or a flint capped earthern mound. Fragments of skull and other human bone have been found in ploughsoil. The barrow has been ploughed virtually level and has been recorded on aerial photographs as an earthwork and as a cropmark.

Details of Barrow on Pastscape

Monument No. 233841
A Bronze Age bowl barrow, identified by Grinsell in 1939, is visible as a mound surrounded by a ditch with a diameter of 20m. It is also visible on aerial photographs.

[SU 43138468] Bowl barrow, 15 yds. diameter and 1 ft. high, no visible ditch, at Lat. 51 33’ 32” and Long. 1 22’ 44” W. between the Ridgeway and a small circular plantation at East Lockinge. (1)
[SU 433848] TUMULUS [O.E.]. (2)
A bowl barrow, at SU 43128467, is under downland pasture. It is 0.3 m. high and traces of a ditch around the eastern half of the perimeter suggest that it is not much spread. Surveyed at 1/2500., q.v. Lin. 57 SU 4384. (3)
The possible Bronze Age bowl barrow, described by the previous authorities is visible as a mound, surrounded by a ditch with a diameter of 20m, on aerial photographs. (4)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOURCE TEXT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
( 1) General reference Berks A.J., 43, 1939, 13. (L.V. Grinsell)
( 2) General reference O.S. 1” 1940
( 3) Field Investigators Comments F1 NVQ 29-AUG-63
( 4) Vertical aerial photograph reference number RAF 540/1730 (F21) 0053-4 18-OCT-1955

Details of Barrow on Pastscape

Monument No. 233820
A Bronze Age bell barrow partially survives as earthworks. The barrow was excavated by Stuart Piggot in 1938. A central oval grave, which appeared to have been plank-lined, contained a cremation accompanied by a bronze awl and bronze rivetted dagger suggesting a transitional early-mid Bronze Age date.Early-middle Bronze Age sherds were found in the mound some of which could have been scooped-up material from a hut-circle or occupation site. The ditch fill contained Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age type sherds and one Romano-British sherd. The barrow is visible as a truncated mound on aerial photographs.

SU 408968412] TUMULUS [G.T.]. (1)
A tumulus near Pewit Farm, Lockinge, which is encroached upon the south by the Ridgeway, was excavated by Stuart Piggott in
1938. The barrow, more than half of which had been removed to within a foot of the surface by the farmer, was found to be of
bell-type with the mound c. 44 ft. in diam. and the ditch c. 90 ft. in diameter. Early-Middle Bronze Age sherds were found in the mound some being of such a nature as to suggest that they were scooped-up material from a hut floor or occupation site and not purely funerary. There was a central oval grave, 5 by 3 by 3 feet deep, which appears to have been plank-lined, and which contained a cremation accompanied by a bronze awl and bronze rivetted dagger which suggest transitional Early-Mid Bronze Age date. A number of sherds of Late Bronze or Early Iron Age type and one Romano-British sherd were recovered from the ditch filling. (2)
This very mutilated barrow has a maximum height of 1.6m. There are no surface indications of either berm or ditch. Resurveyed at 1/2500. The sherds from this excavation are in Newbury Museum (Acc. 1938-256). The awl and dagger are neither in Newbury nor Reading Museum. (3)
In 1938 the bronze awl that was formed by Stuart Piggott has traces of a handle and the bronze dagger showed vestiges of its wrapping of cloth and bark. (4) The Bronze Age bell barrow, described by the previous authorities, is visible as a truncated mound and has been mapped from aerial photographs. (4)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOURCE TEXT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date) O.S. 6” 1960
( 2) General reference Trans Newbury & Dist FC 8 pt 2 1939 109-116 Plan fig 32 (S Piggott)
( 3) Field Investigators Comments F1 NVQ 27-AUG-63
( 4) General reference Journ of Maidenhead & Dist Arch & Hist Soc (`The Scroll’), I 9, May 1971, 16 (R A Rutland)
( 5) Oblique aerial photograph reference number NMR SU4084/ (820/82-3) 12-MAY-1975

Details of Barrow on Pastscape

Monument No. 233715
A Bronze Age round barrow is situated on a north west facing slope overlooking a dry valley. The barrow is recorded, in varying states of preservation, on aerial photographs. It is visible as an earthwork mound, with a diameter of 30m, on early photographs. The outer ditch of the barrow, which has a diameter of 60m, is visible as a cropmark on more recent photographs.

[SU 41818612] Very large mound, about 50 paces in diameter and about 8 ft. high under cultivation, apparently a barrow, noted by O.G.S. Crawford. It lies 300 yards south of Garddard’s Barn, West Lockinge, at Lat. 51 34’ 19” and Long. 1 23’ 48”. (1)
SU 41748619 Large Bowl barrow [There is a large mound on the 6” (SU 48 NW) a short distance S.E. of Grinsell’s siting and it is possible that this is the barrow referred to by authorities 1 and 2]. (2)
This ditchless mound is at SU 4185 8612. (Published on O.S. 6” 1960 at SU 4187 8610). Cultivation has caused a degree of
spreading and the height is now 1.7 metres. It is almost certainly artificial and is probably a bowl barrow. Surveyed at 1/2500. (3)
The Bronze Age round barrow referred to by the previous authorities is situated on a north west facing slope overlooking a dry valley and Goddard’s Barn. The barrow is recorded, in varying states of preservation, and has been mapped from aerial photographs. It is visible as an earthwork mound, with a diameter of 30m, on early photographs. The outer ditch of the barrow, which has a diameter of 60m, is visible as a cropmark on more recent photographs. (4)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOURCE TEXT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
( 1) General reference Berks. A.J., 43, 1939, 13. (L.V. Grinsell)
( 2) General reference Reading Mus. 6” 13.9.62
( 3) Field Investigators Comments F1 JP 17-MAR-64
( 4) Oblique aerial photograph reference number NMR SU4186/4-9 (2169/1049-54) 20-JUL-1984

Details of site on Pastscape

Monument No. 233832
C19th monument: on site of mutilated barrow?

[SU 42388437] Monument on TUMULUS [G.T.]. (1)
The Monument [to Lord Wantage] at East Lockinge, stands on the site of a barrow, but there seems to be no record of what was
found when the monument was erected, or at any other time. (2)
The 19th c. monument stands upon a mound 0.7 m. high. There are no traces of a surrounding ditch and it is not recognisable as a barrow. Published survey (25”) revised. q.v. Lin 57 – SU 4284. (3)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOURCE TEXT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
( 1) General reference O.S. 6” 1960
( 2) General reference Berks. A.J., 40, 1936, 38 (L.V. Grinsell)
( 3) Field Investigators Comments F1 NVQ 29-AUG-64

Details of find on Pastscape

Monument No. 1084759
A large stone axe was found near the monument to Lord Wantage (SU 48 SW 6) in 1958. It was donated to Newbury Museum, accession number 1958:7. The find is 260 mm in length, 70 mm in width and 70 mm thick and is of hornfels, possibly from southwest England.

A large stone axe was found near the monument [SU 48 SW 6 – SU 424844] in 1958 and donated to Newbury Museum (Accession No 1958:7). The axe is 26 cm long, 7cm wide, and 7 cm thick, of hornfels, possibly from south west England. No dating is suggested. (1)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOURCE TEXT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
( 1) Oxfordshire Architectural and Historical Society Oxoniensia Ford S. 48, 1983 Page(s)147

Details of find on Pastscape

Monument No. 233862
A Neolithic stone axe found near the Wantage Monument is in store at Newbury Museum (Accession Number 1958.7). The axe was deposited for identification in January, 1958, but the finder never returned to the Museum.

A Neolithic stone axe found near the Wantage Monument is in store at Newbury Museum. (Acc. No.1958.7). The axe was deposited for identification in January, 1958, but the finder never returned to the Museum. (1)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOURCE TEXT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
( 1) Field Investigators Comments F1 NVQ 09-SEP-63

Details of Barrow on Pastscape

Site of a Roman barrow with prehistoric origins discovered circa 1596 and excavated in 1844 and 1954. Finds include prehistoric pottery sherds, inhumations, cremations, amphorae, iron nails, a wooden and a lead coffin, a sella castrensis, a wooden bier and a Roman coin. The burials date from AD 200 to AD 250. The barrow has now been destroyed. 14 post holes forming a square enclosure around the barrow suggests a temporary shelter was erected over the grave.

TQ 6982 6269: Tumulus [NR] (1)
Holborough Knob – Roman barrow, 18 feet high and over 100 feet diameter. Surrounded by a ditch, 10-13 feet wide and 27 feet deep. A Mr Tylghman excavating (circa 1596) found “an earthen pot filled with ashes” (a) and Thomas Wright excavating in 1844 cut a trench through the centre of the mound and found a floor of fine earth with a thin coating of wood ash, some long nails, potsherds and a Roman brooch which was thought to be the site of a funeral pyre. Re-excavated 1954, barrow and ditch being completely excavated. Tile fragments, two sherds of prehistoric pottery and Roman potsherds came from the core of the barrow and obviously came from scrapings of the surrounding surface.
A piece of grey ware came from the bottom of the ditch and other fragments from the chalk filling.

In the central area of the barrow the main burial and 3 ritual pits were found undisturbed. A grave cut in the chalk had contained a simple wooden coffin, now decayed and measuring 6 feet 9 inches long but only 5 inches deep. Iron nails were still in situ. The coffin had contained many iron nails, wood ash, and calcined human bones. Above the burial was a domed mound of puddled chalk. Thus we have a cremation burial in an inhumation setting, suggesting a Christian approach to a pagan ceremonial. To the north of the grave was a mass of potsherds representing five amphorae, deliberately broken, a number of iron nails and fragments of glass, the whole firestained; deposits of a resinous substance suggested the residue of a libation of wine or oil. A square enclosure, 16 feet x 15 feet, consisting of 14 post holes, suggested a temporary hut or shelter over the grave. One of the ritual pits contained the remains of a folding chair (sella castrensis), iron nails, wood ash. The second pit contained wood ash, burnt potsherds and calcined bones. The third pit contained a Roman coin (of Antonius Pius), wood ash, fragments of a human cremation; and was suggested as the final “sweepings” from the funeral pyre. The coin, with funeral pyre on the obverse, was thought to be a ritual offering and of no use as dating evidence.

In the south east quadrant of the barrow was found a secondary burial consisting of the inhumation of a child in a decorated lead coffin. Included in the grave was the remains of what appeared to be a wooden bier. The pottery dates the barrow to the first quarter of the 3rd century and the secondary burial is placed in the first half of the 3rd century. [See AO/59/146/6-8] [Report includes a full study of the finds.] (2)
Report of earlier excavation. (3)
General article on Roman barrows, including Holborough. (4)
History of site and report of earlier excavations. (5)
Brief report. 1954 excavation. (6)
This barrow has now been completely quarried away. The Antiquity model has been amended. Finds on display at Maidstone Museum. (7)
At Holborough, the body may have been burnt in situ. Nothing of this kind is noted in other Roman cemeteries or graves in this region apart from Beckfoot (Bribra). (8)
Additional bibliography. (9-14)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOURCE TEXT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date) OS 6” 1939
( 2a) William Lambarde; with an introduction by Richard Church 1970 A perambulation of Kent First published 1576 (W Lambarde) Page(s)407
( 2) Kent Archaeological Society Archaeologia Cantiana : being contributions to the history and archaeology of Kent 1954 plans and illustrations (RF Jessup NC Cook and JMC Toynbee) 68 Page(s)1-61
( 3) Externally held archive reference Wanderings of an Antiquary 1854 183-9 (T Wright) Page(s)183-9
( 4) The Antiquary: a magazine devoted to the study of the past 1936 (GC Dunning and RF Jessup) 10 Page(s)37-53
( 5) Kent Archaeological Society Archaeologia Cantiana : being contributions to the history and archaeology of Kent 1945 (RF Jessup) 58 Page(s)68-72
( 6) Society for Promotion of Roman Studies The journal of Roman studies 1954 illustrated 44 Page(s)101-2
( 7) Field Investigators Comments F1 CFW 30-JUN-1959
( 8) 1984 Archaeologia Aeliana, fifth series, volume XII. Arch Ael 5th series 12 1984 21 (DB Charlton and M Mitcheson)
( 9) Journal of the British Archaeological Association JBAA 3 1959 22 6 (RF Jessup)
(10) General reference JRS 44 1954 101-2 plan photo
(11) General reference SE England 1970 199 illust photo (RF Jessup)
(12) by Martin Henig 1984 Religion in Roman Britain Rel in Ro Brit 1984 202 photo (M Herrig)
(13) The Antiquaries journal : journal of the Society of Antiquaries of London Ant J 45 1965 22-52 (PJ Fowler)
(14) edited by William Page 1932 The Victoria history of the county of Kent, volume three The Victoria history of the counties of England VCH Kent 3 1932 168