426 NORTHUMBERLAND. 



off the top. There was a circle of stones round the base. At a 

 spot 7| ft. east of the centre^ and on the natural surface, was a 

 deposit of the burnt bones .of an adult laid in a round heap 1 ft. in 

 diameter. Three feet south-east-by-south of the centre, and 9 in. 

 above the surface-level, was a second deposit of burnt bones, 

 those of an adult, laid like the first in a round heap and also 

 1 ft. in diameter. On the natural surface, and immediately beneath 

 this deposit, were a few burnt bones, apparently belonging to a 

 burial distinct from that found above them. Three feet north-west 

 of the centre was a large earth-fast stone, having a flat stone laid 

 alongside of it to the north-east. From this point the cairn had 

 been commenced by regular courses of stones set on edge and 

 inclining inwards. There was no appearance of there ever having 

 been an interment at the centre. The second deposit of burnt 

 bones was however placed just beyond the edge of the flat stone 

 above-mentioned, and it was probably the primary interment. 



Lower down the valley of the Coquet, upon the same side of the 

 river as the last-described cairn, and still in the parish of Alwinton, 

 is Holystone Common, lying to the west of the village and of the 

 well where Paulinus is said to have baptized large numbers of the 

 neighbouring people. There are several cairns upon the common, 

 many of which have been opened with I know not what results. 

 There were still about four or five which did not appear to have 

 been materially interfered with, and of these I examined two. 



CCIV. The first was 24 ft. in diameter, 3f ft. high, and formed 

 of stones with a slight admixture of earth. At a distance of 5^ ft. 

 south-south-east from the centre was found a hollow made beneath 

 the natural surface of the ground, 14 in. in diameter and 12 in. deep, 

 containing the burnt bones of an adult, the body belonging to 

 which had been burnt on the spot and over the already existing 

 hole. Close to this, being 4 ft. south-south-east of the centre, was 

 a second burnt body, also that of an adult, laid in a circular heap 

 10 in. in diameter, and at a height of 8 in. above the natural surface. 

 At the centre of the barrow, and within a hollow, excavated for 

 that purpose to a depth of 1^ ft., was a cist, having the cover- 

 stone level with the surface of the ground. It was placed 

 north-west and south-east, 2 ft. long and 14 in. wide, and was 

 made of four side-stones and a cover. It was filled with fine 

 sand, amongst which were scattered here and there some pieces of 



