243 



Chambered Tumulus near Uley, Gloucestehshirb. 



A very correct and interesting account of ttds tumulus has been given by 

 Dr. Thurnbam, in the Arcbseological Journal, vol. xi. p. 315, with a plan of 

 its structure. It is about 120 feet in length and 8-5 in its greatest breadth, but 

 higher and broader at the E. end. The entrance is at the E., and com- 

 posed of two upright stones with a large one resting upon them, and the open- 

 ing is about 24 feet high. This leads into a passage running nearly E. and W., 

 about 22 feet long and about 4^ feet wide, and 5 feet high. The walls of the 

 gallery are formed of large slabs of stone of irregular shape, set into the 

 ground on their edges. They are composed of rough oolitic stone, which is 

 found on the Cotteswolds. The roof is formed of large slabs of stone which 

 are laid across and rest on the uprights ; on each side of this passage are two 

 chambers or cells, the entrances to which are about 2 feet wide. These are 

 irregular in form, two only remain perfect, and two have been destroyed and 

 their entrances closed with dry walling. These chambers have been used for 

 the purposes of burial. The roofs are formed by projecting stones, which are 

 made to overlap. When this tumulus was opened in 1821 it was found that it 

 had been previously- disturbed. Over these chambers and the gallery a heap 

 of stones was raised, which had been neatly finished on the outside with a facing 

 of dry wall, carried up to a height of from 2 to 3 feet. The gallery 

 and chambers were filled with small stones and rubbish, among which were the 

 remains of 13 skeletons ; one was found to have been buried in a squatting 

 position. Pieces of earthenware and charcoal were also found. The gallery 

 and chambers extend not quite half-way into the cairn. Near the highest 

 part of the cairn, within about 6 inches of the surface and nearly over one 

 of the chambers, a skeleton was found Ijang N.E. and S.W., with which were 

 three Roman coins of 3rd brass of the Lower Empire, and said to be of the 

 three sons of Constantino the Great. At the base of the cairn, and in the 

 approach to the entrance, two flint flakes were found. Only two perfect 

 crania from this burial place have been preserved ; they were presented to the 

 Museum at Guy's Hospital. There can be little doubt, Dr. Thurnham 

 observes, "that the Uley Cairn is a monument of the ancient British popula- 

 tion during very early times. That this was an ancient monument during the 

 Roman rule in Britain seems to be proved by the secondary interments near 

 the summit, accompanied by coins of the Constantine series." The first ex- 

 amination of this barrow took place in 1821, when notes were kept of the 

 excavation, and a further examination was made in 1854. 



A tumulus very similar to that at Uley was examined in 1 862 by the Cottes- 

 wold Club, and has been described by Sir W. V. Guise. It is situated near 

 Nj-mpsfield, and had chambers similar to those of the Uley Cairn, and the 

 contents found in this are very similar in character. These are now deposited 

 in the museum of the Agricultural College at Cirencester. Another tumulua 

 similar in character was opened by the Rev. W. S. Lysons at Rodmarton, ia 

 Gloucestershire, an account of which has been given by him in his work, en- 



