542 



The Duddo Stones and the Urns found in their vicinity. 

 By the late George Tate, F.G.S. Plate V. 



From Duddo extending northward by Felkington is a high 

 sandstone ridge ; to the west is the vale of the Till, which is 

 covered over with gravel hills. On one of those rounded mounds 

 near Duddo is a circle of five stones. There is no popular legend 

 regarding them, but they have been called by many a " Druidical 

 Temple," probably because former A.ntiquarians have represented 

 all such monoliths as of Druidical origin. But as stones have 

 been set up around tumuli which are undoubtedly sepulchral, 

 and moreover even in Northumberland, as at Eayheugh and 

 Matfen, monoliths are placed near the barrows, I apprehend that 

 the Duddo stones encircle the barrow which covers the remains, 

 it may be, of a distinguished warrior or priest. The circle is 

 about 40 yards in circumference ; the stones are from 5 to 10 

 feet high, are re 1 in colour, and have been brought from the 

 neighbouring hill; one of them lies prostrate. Their great 

 antiquity is attested by their deeply furrowed surface, and their 

 wasted forms at the base. 



No. 1. stands N. 20^ W. ; No. 4. S.S.E., and No. 2. S.W. 

 There are 27 feet between 1 and 2 ; and 4 and 5. Between Nos. 

 5 and 1 are 14 feet ; between 2 and 3, and 3 and 4 respectively 

 are 10 feet. 



[Mr Eaine (North Durham, p. 318) says, " the remains of an 

 outer circle were a while ago i. e. before 1852, discovered at the 

 usual distance.''] 



[A letter from the Rev. Dr Gilly to Mr Tate, dated Norham, 

 Augast 18th, 1852, informs us that *'' no human bones were 

 found among the stones called ' The Druid's Temple ' in Duddo ; 

 but, urns taken from a cairn within sight of these stones, 

 contained what appeared to be small portions of bones."] 



On high ground on the farm of Duddo near to Felkington, a 

 cairn of stones and earth was opened out. It was about 2 feet 

 high, and 1 feet in circumference ; there was no cist-vaen, but 

 at the base of the cairn were found three urns — two of them were 

 reversed, and one of them on its base. 



1. One of these urns was large — 20 inches in height, 4 inches 

 at the base, and 15 inches at the mouth, jar-shaped, rude made, 

 zig-zag or chevron work on the upper part, the lower plain. It 



