from an Oval Barroic. 41 



upwards in length, and having an elevation of from 5 to 10 feet, 

 or even more. One end, usually that directed to the east, is almost 

 always broader and higher than the other ; but the most remarkable 

 distinction is in the trench, which is carried the whole length of 

 the barrow on each side, without being continued around the ends. 

 These peculiarities of the long barrow are well shown in the 

 engraving in "Ancient Wilts," (vol. i. p. 21. "I. Long Barrow") 

 The Oval Barrow No. 49, like others of a similar form and 

 description, belongs no doubt to a diflPerent and more recent period 

 than the true long barrows, and to the same age as the circular 

 barrows of the ordinary bowl and bell shapes. Its oval form appears 

 to depend upon its having been designed for two or three distinct 

 interments, placed at tolerably regular intervals.* This variety of 

 tumulus was not altogether overlooked by Sir Richard Hoare, by 

 whom two or three such were excavated. Of one he gives a repre- 

 sentation, as the specimen of his twelfth form of barrow, which he 

 terms " Long barrow No. 2." His words are as follows : — "XII. 

 Long Barrow No. 2. This tumulus in shape resembles a small 

 long barrow, but diflfers from the larger kind, by having a ditch all 

 around it." (p. 22.) 



In addition to the two or three Oval Barrows opened by Sir 

 Richard Hoare,^ I have examined two or three others. The result 

 appears to be, that, like the bowl and bell shaped tumuli, they cover 

 interments sometimes by simple inhumation, but more generally 

 after cremation. Like the circular barrows, they belong chiefly, if 

 not altogether, to the age of bronze, and of burning the dead; by 

 which phrase I understand a period when this metal and this mode 

 of burial were in common but not universal use ; implements and 

 weapons of stone being still employed for many purposes, and burial 



* For all purposes of argument, oval barrows (as distinguished from long 

 barrows) and round barrows may be regarded as identical. The two are clearly- 

 coeval, and the work of the same people. An oval barrow, in my -view, is a 

 congeries of two or more round barrows. 



2 Those referred to in " Ancient "Wilts," vol. i., p. 169 (118), p. 241 (10), p. 

 242 (22), appear to be of this description. On the last Sir Richard Hoare 

 observes: — "These diminutive . long barrows differ very materially from those 

 of the larger sort, in which we have almost invariably found the interments (of 

 entire skeletons) deposited at the east and broadest end." 



