100 Notes on Barrow-diggings. 
potsherds; but it must be remembered that this tumulus was par- 
tially explored in 1812, and again in 1824, on which occasions a stone 
celt, a flint arrow-point, and in the upper part of the huge mound, 
as belonging to a secondary interment, an iron fibula, were found. 
There is therefore good reason to suppose that there had been 
interments in them, although Mr. Bateman inclined to a contrary 
opinion. I am disposed to look upon these tumular structures as 
family burial places, and used as such for a long period, perhaps 
even down to Roman times, to which the small brass coin found in 
No. 6 may bear witness. 
Another point, connected with barrows Nos. 4, 5, and 6, to be 
observed, is the orientation of the secondary interments in relation 
to the primary one. They are all on the south, south-west and 
south-east sides; and in one instance only, viz., in No. 5, was an 
interment found due east of the central one. In no instance did 
we meet with an interment due west, and none was found on the 
north side. 
Before quitting this group of barrows, we must notice that the 
- custom which prevailed with regard to the disposal of the dead 
was by cremation, and that the exception to the practice occurred 
very seldom. In two cases, viz., in barrows Nos. 4 and 6, the 
primary interments appear to have been of the bodies entire, but 
no argument can be based, as to the priority of the mode of burial, 
upon this fact, for in the latter instance there was an accompanying 
and co-eval interment after cremation ; and if the tradition relating 
to the discoveries in 1840 has any foundation, and I see no reason 
to doubt its truth, a skeleton, laid on its right side, was found far 
from, and to the south of, the centre. It must also be noted that 
the five skeletons, which were found in this group, were all laid 
upon their right sides, and that of the four found by me three 
had their heads to the west and one tothe N.W. Ihave wished to 
draw especial attention to this mode of depositing the dead, because 
it may be found to have been a tribal custom. It is a curious cir- 
cumstance that in the north of England, in the counties of 
Leicester, Stafford, Derby, and York, Mr. M.S. Bateman observed 
that out of 149 skeletons found in barrows, 101 were on their left 
ee 
