near Littleton Drew, North Wiits. 169 
steeper and more defined than the north, a character which was 
much more marked as late as the year 1821, the date of the 
sketch from which our view is taken.1 The most remarkable 
feature is the trilith, or cromlech of three large stones, at the east 
end, which still give its name to the field. 
‘Campus ab illis 
Dicitur, eternumque tenet per seecula nomen.” 
These stones are placed somewhat on the slope of the barrow, 
about thirty feet from its base. The two uprights, which are six 
and a half feet apart, are of a flattened pyramidal form, about 
two feet thick and four wide. That to the south is six and a half 
feet in height, that to the north, from which part of the top seems 
to have been broken, is a foot lower. From recent excavations, 
made by Mr. Scrope, it is found that these stones are sunk upwards 
of four feet below the surface. Resting on the ground, and leaning 
against the western edges of these uprights, is the large table stone, 
measuring about twelve feet in length, by six in breadth. There 
ean be no doubt, whatever was their intention, that this large 
table stone was originally supported by the two uprights, aided 
perhaps by a third, or, as Aubrey thought, by two others. The 
stones are altogether rough and unhewn, and are richly covered 
with time-stains and lichens. Their first inspection suggested the 
idea that they were the remains of a chamber, such as exists at 
Stoney Littleton and Uley, but a consideration of their size, and 
the great height of the uprights above the highest part of the 
barrow, is sufficient to refute such an opinion. Sir R. C. Hoare 
concludes the account he gives of his examination of the tumulus, 
by stating that he had no doubt the primary interment was placed 
“beneath the huge superimpending stones at the east end.” This 
view, however, has been fully disproved, by examinations made 
in the summer of 1854, and again in September 1855, when the 
space between the two uprights was excavated down to the base 
of the stones, and a considerable trench dug in front of them, by 
which the red clay of the natural surface was uncovered. A similar 
excavation was made on the western side of the stones. No traces 
1 This sketch was by Mr. Crocker, the artist employed by Sir R. C. Hoare. 
Zz 
