187 



tumulus. No. 2, about 4 feet in elevation, was composed of 

 sand and clay, as in the preceding example. In the clay, at a 

 short distance from the surface, were found portions of five urns, 

 but the probable shape of four only could be ascertained from 

 the remains. The tumuli are, from these data, undoubtedly 

 British, and must all be referred to that early period, to which 

 belongs the rude sun-dried pottery, flint arrow heads, and the 

 cremation of the dead. 



SKIPWITH. 



On Skipwith Common, ten miles south-east of York, are 

 many conspicuous tumuli, which are, by popular tradition, 

 connected with the defeat of the Norwegian army which 

 landed at Riccall, and after defeating the Northumbrians at 

 Fulford, was overwhelmed by the English at Stamford Bridge. 

 Here the tumuli are called Danes* Hills. These tumuli are 

 situated about three quarters of a mile south-west of Skipwith 

 church; other tumuli, much resembling these, are found on 

 another portion of common land about the same distance north- 

 east of Skipwith church. The road from Skipwith to Riccall 

 passes by the former, that from Skipwith to Wheldrake 

 and Stamford Bridge by the latter. If the tradition were 

 correct, that these mounds are the graves of the Norwegians 

 slain in the retreat from Stamford Bridge, we should find in 

 them abundant proof of the hasty burial of a large number of 

 men, probably without fire. 



The tumuli at Skipwith Common are of medium and not 

 very unequal size, except that one which stands apart is much 

 greater in diameter and somewhat superior in height to all the 

 others. There are two groups of tumuli ; on the west twelve 

 of these mounds are conspicuous, the great tumulus, already 

 mentioned, being on the south-east extremity. Besides these are 

 nine small mounds, with oval or circular trenches. The greatest 

 distance between any two adjoining is rather less than 700 feet. 

 East of the great mound is a small group of three tumuli and 

 several small heaps, besides two oval or nearly oval tumuli. 

 In the first series the appearance of the fossae, in which the 



