ACCOUNT OF 
A Borrow om Rountwoy Bill near Denies, 
OPENED IN APRIL, 1855. 
By Mr. Cunnineron, F.G.S. 
As the progress of modern agriculture is rapidly sweeping away 
from our downs the barrows and other similar relics of the ancient 
inhabitants of the district, it becomes increasingly important that 
a faithful and minute account of all the discoveries made, should 
be permanently recorded. Happily our “Wiltshire Magazine” 
affords opportunities for the publication of such records. 
The barrow in question is situated near the brow of the hill, on 
the right hand side of the track leading to Calstone, and is about mid- 
way between the “Leipsic” plantation, and the large chalk quarry. 
It is on land in the occupation of Richard Coward, Esq., by whose 
kind permission and assistance it was opened. The elevation is 
very slight, not exceeding six inches, and the area ill defined, but 
extending over a space of about eighteen yards in diameter. This 
was all the external indication afforded of the interesting interment 
beneath; and it is by no means surprising that it had hitherto escaped 
the notice of antiquaries. It is probable that at some former period 
the original mound was levelled. 
The excavation was commenced as near as possible to the centre, 
and on removing the turf, abundant evidence of the artificial con- 
dition of the subsoil was obtained. There were traces of the ashes of 
wood, and the peculiar mouldiness which is so often found in barrows. 
At from two to four feet a considerable quantity of ashes occurred, 
mixed with the bones of birds and other small animals, numerous 
shells of Helix nemoralis,' a fragment of burned bone, a few bits of 
1 Query. Were these snails used for food? Although this species occurs 
abundantly among the brush-wood on the side of the hill, they are never found 
on the open down, and they must consequently have been brought to this spot. 
2B 
