68 On the Barrow at Lanhill near Chippenham; 
Since the time of Aubrey, this tumulus has been much levelled; 
and it is known that, about fifty years since, a former tenant removed 
a large quantity of the stone of which it is formed. The only 
particulars we have been able to obtain of these excavations are 
from an old man, who states that many human bones were thrown 
up, among which he particularly recollects several lower jaws. 
At present, the mound has the appearance of several irregular 
hillocks, in part overgrown with thorns and briars, resembling 
somewhat the site of an old quarry. Sufficient still remains 
to show that it was a long barrow, ranging east and west, about 
160 feet in length, broadest near the east end, and with its present 
ereatest height not exceeding six or seven feet. About thirty or 
forty feet from the eastern extremity, the upper edges of two flat 
stones were just visible above the turf. These stones were parallel 
with each other, placed from east to west, and about four and 
a half feet apart. Their position was such as to lead to the in- 
ference that they formed part of a stone chamber or cist; and, on 
the occasion of the meeting of the Wiltshire Archeological Society 
at Chippenham, in September last, it was agreed to make some 
excavations, with the view of determining the period to which the 
barrow belongs. It would have been proper to record what was 
then ascertained, had this even been less than was actually the 
case. Enough however was observed to establish the agreement 
of this with other long stone barrows, containing cists or chambers, 
found in this part of England; and which must be regarded as 
altogether distinct from the round, (bowl, or bell-shaped) barrows so 
common on the downs of Wiltshire and the adjacent counties. An 
excavation was made between the two stones, which soon disclosed 
a third flat slab, like the others, of a rough oolite. This was placed 
between, and at right angles with, the others, so as to form the 
figure of the Roman letter H, having the cross-bar disproportion- 
ately long. ‘The two side stones are about four and a half feet in 
height, and about the same in length; the stone which separates 
them, and by which they are maintained in the erect position, is 
about five and a half feet high, and four and a half long, being 
sunk about a foot deeper in the earth than the two others. These 
[2 See a Ses: 
