104 
Arotes on owl's Parrotv. 
By Mr. Cunnineton, F.G.S. 
OWL’S—Bole’s Barrow, or, as it is sometimes called, 
Bowlsbury, does not occupy a place in the early history 
of the county. The origin of the name is not known. Canon 
Jackson informs us that “it does not occur in Wilts, except in the 
case of ‘Don Bowle,’ of Idmiston, who was a learned man, and 
F.S.A.; but there is no information connecting him with property in 
the Heytesbury neighbourhood”; nor de the deeds in the possession 
of the present owner of the property, Lord Heytesbury, throw any 
light on the subject. It is called “ Bowls Barrow ” in Andrew and 
Dury’s large map of Wilts, date 1773, and this is probably the 
earliest printed notice of the name. 
Like the other long barrows of the county, it is situate on very 
high ground, commanding a most extensive and characteristic view 
of this great chalk range. In consequence of the prominence of 
the position it is often chosen as a place of meeting for the hounds, 
The first account of the barrow occurs in a letter addressed by 
Mr. Cunnington, F.S.A., to H. P. Wyndham, Esq., M.P. for 
Salisbury, dated Heytesbury, July 13th, 1801. Of this an abstract 
appears in “ Ancient Wiltshire,” I., 87, as follows :— The length 
of this large tumulus is one hundred and fifty feet at the base; its 
width ninety-four feet (including the ditches on both sides) , and its 
elevation ten feet and a half, though it appears to the eye much 
higher ; the broad end points towards the east. It was opened by 
Mr. Cunnington in 1801, and attended with much labour, He 
began by making a section of considerable width and length across 
the barrow, near the east end. The interior parts of the barrow 
were composed entirely of white marl stone to the depth of four feet 
and a half: this was succeeded by a ridge of large (sarsen) stones 
and flints, which extended wider as the men worked downwards. 
At the depth of ten feet and a half, which was the base of the 
