PARISH OF WILLEHBY, 185 



observed, together with a flint saw, a single piece of pottery, and 

 considerable traces of charcoal. 



XXXVI. The fifth barrow was about 100 yds. east of the last, 

 and, with the next, was situated in the parish of Forden. It was 

 60 ft. in diameter, 3 ft. high, and made up of earth and chalk- 

 rubble. At the centre was an oval grave, north-west by south-east, 

 5^ ft. by 4f ft., and 3 ft. deep. At the north-west end, on the 

 bottom of the grave, where a thin layer of clayey soil had 

 accumulated, was the impression of the bones of a body, not a 

 single fragment of which however was remaining. This is a 

 valuable illustration of the way in which a barrow may be found 

 entirely destitute of any trace of the body which once occupied it ; 

 in this case, if it had not been for the accidental presence of the 

 clay in the grave, there would not have been the slightest indication 

 that a body had ever been placed in it. The grave was filled in 

 with flints, clay, and earth ; and it may here be observed that 

 wherever there is vegetable mould in a grave near the body, it is 

 usually found to be ver}^ much decayed ; but where the body is 

 surrounded with chalk, the bones are generally well preserved. 

 Amongst the materials of the barrow were several flint chippings. 



XXXVII. Another barrow in the close vicinity of that last 

 noticed was thoroughly examined at a great expense of time and 

 labour. It was 100 ft. in diameter, 5 ft. high, and composed of 

 earth and chalk. The only discovery made was of a single 

 interment of an unburnt body, 15 ft. south of the centre, and placed 

 just below the present surface of the mound. The bones had been 

 so much disturbed by the plough that nothing could be made out 

 with regard to the position of the body. If ever there had been a 

 central interment, it must have been situated much above the level 

 of the natural surface, and had been totally removed by the plough. 

 The nature of the material of the barrow was such as to lead to the 

 conclusion that at least some trace of bones would have been met 

 with if ever there had been a second interment in the existing 

 mound. There certainly was no grave, for the solid rock was 

 reached, and there w' as no trace of any excavation upon it. Several 

 bones belonging to three oxen {dos longifrons) were dispersed 

 amongst the materials of which the barrow was formed. 



XXXVIII. The seventh and last barrow of this group was a little 

 to the north of the two last, but in the parish of Willerby, and close 



