From “Stonehenge,” Mr. Edgar Barclay. At page 66 he says:—“The Cursus is
irregular in shape, nevertheless there remains a very strong probability
that it is an adjunct of Stonehenge, and was designed with it, and is not
an independent earthwork as Sir R. Colt Hoare maintains.”
From Mr. J. F. Hewitt’s “Ruling Races of Pre-historic Times”:—“A
hippodrome can still be traced about half a mile north of the Temple,
with which it is connected by an avenue about forty cubits wide. This is
divided into two branches, about 1700 feet from the Temple, the eastern
hand going eastward to Radfin, a ford on the Avon, and the western
curving round to the ancient chariot-course. It was here the seasonal
games took place, said by Macrobius to have been celebrated by the
Druids, when sacrifices were offered to the gods. This ancient _campus
martius_, running east and west, is about 10,000 feet or 6000 Druidical
cubits long, and 350 feet or 200 Druidical cubits wide, and on the east
side is a long bank, extending nearly its whole length, which must have
served as a place for spectators; while on the west side is a curve to
allow for the turning of the competing chariots. There can be no doubt
whatever that this racecourse represents the ancient site of the national
games; instituted by the Sons of the Horse, which are said in Greek
tradition to have been founded by Akastus, king of Iolcus, after he had
driven out Jason and Medea the sorceress.”
EARTHWORKS ON SALISBURY PLAIN.
Tumuli, or Barrows, are the most simple kind of sepulchral monument; they
consist of a mound of earth or stones raised over the dead.
Sir Richard Colt Hoare thus classifies them in his “History of
Wiltshire”:—
1. The Long Barrow. Differing considerably in their construction.
2. The Bowl Barrow. The most ordinary shape.
3. The Bell Barrow. This, from the elegance of its form, seems a
refinement on the Bowl Barrow. They abound near Stonehenge.
4. Druid Barrow (1st class). I consider these tumuli were appropriated
to the female tribes. The outward vallum with the ditch within is
beautifully moulded, and in most instances found to contain small cups,
small lance heads, amber, jet, and glass beads.
5. Druid Barrow (2nd class). In external form these resemble the
preceding, but their circumference is not so large. The tumulus within
rises to a point from the edge of the vallum.
6. Pond Barrow. They differ totally from all others, and resemble an
excavation made for a pond. I can form no conjecture as to their use.
7. Twin Barrow. They are not very common, and, by being enclosed in a
circle, seem to denote the interment of relations.
8. Cone Barrow. The only one I have seen is at Everley. The tumulus
rises immediately from the ditch, and the apex is higher and more
pointed.
9. Broad Barrow. Resembles the Bowl Barrow, but is higher and flatter
at the top.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account