110 



On the tumuli, &c., of the CHALK RANGE. 

 [ Read at Encombe, January 29th, 1857. ] 



The portion of the Chalk Range, which lies to the west of 

 Corfe Castle, known as Knowle and Creech Hills, is remarkably 

 rich in sepulchral remains, which afford much of historical in- 

 terest respecting two distinct races of people, who inhabited this 

 island, at periods remote from each other; comprising several 

 barrows of different sizes, some peculiar earthworks, and two 

 cemeteries, which have been brought to light by the cutting of 

 road-ways across the hill. It is probable that others may exist 

 in the immediate neighbourhood, in fact that this was not only 

 the place of sepulture of the aboriginal Briton, but, in after- 

 times, a burial place of the early Anglo-saxon population. 



On the twentieth of September, last, the investigation of these 

 remains was commenced with the largest of the Barrows upon 

 Knowle hill, the property of the Earl of Eldon; which measured 

 fifly-two feet in diameter, and about three and a half feet in 

 height. A broad trench was first cut from the west side to the 

 centre, where, at the depth of two feet beneath the turf, we came 

 upon a skeleton which proved to be lying at full length, west by 

 north, and east by south, and measured six feet in length. The 

 head was turned over the lefl shoulder, thus looking towards the 

 north, and protected by two stones placed carefully over it; 

 near the left elbow, on the north side, were picked stones built 

 up in such a manner as to bridge over the skeleton, and rest 

 on the south side, upon Purbeck stones measuring fourteen inches 



