336 OPENING OF AN ANCIENT BARROW 
This chamber containing the animal matter, 
appeared to have been air-tight; for, its exact ter- 
mination was discovered on the west side ; and, it 
was found to be closely sealed up with bundles of 
grass, a coat of fern, dry roots, and clay. The 
fern and the roots were placed against a vertical 
face of clay, on the outside of the chamber ; and 
they were not carbonized. 
It seems probable, that the bodies had been 
partially burned, with wood and coal, on the green 
sward, on which the barrow was formed: that the 
partially burned remains of the bodies had been 
carefully collected, and deposited on the surface 
of the circular trench ; and, that then a wall, and 
a strong arch of moist clay, had been formed over 
these remains. It would be necessary, that this 
arch and chamber of moist clay, should become 
hard, before the barrow was formed; otherwise, 
the weight of the barrow would compress, and 
destroy the chamber. Therefore, that the arch, 
and chamber, might be hardened by the sun’s heat, 
on the outside, and by the heat of the half-burnt 
remains, on the inside, it would be necessary, that 
the two ends of the chamber should remain open, 
for a considerable time, before the barrow was 
