In Monkton, west of the town, is a large and flat long barrow, set round with stones, which I have depicted in [plate XXX], ’tis just 120 cubits long, 30 cubits broad in the broadest end. It stands due east and west, the broadest end eastward. Its breadth the fourth part of its length: a most magnificent sepulchre, and call’d Milbarrow.
But even this is much exceeded in south long barrow, near Silbury-hill, south of it, and upon the bank of the Kennet. It stands east and west, pointing to the dragon’s head on Overton-hill. A very operose congeries of huge stones upon the east end, and upon part of its back or ridge; pil’d one upon another, with no little labour: doubtless in order to form a sufficient chamber, for the remains of the person there buried; not easily to be disturbed. The whole tumulus is an excessively large mound of earth 180 cubits long, ridg’d up like a house. And we must needs conclude, the people that made these durable mausolea, had a very strong hope of the resurrection of their bodies, as well as souls who thus provided against their being disturbed.
Upon the heath south of Silbury-hill, was a very large oblong work, like a long barrow, made only of stones pitch’d in the ground, no tumulus. Mr. Smith beforemention’d told me, his cousin took the stones away (then) 14 years ago, to make mere stones withal. I take it to have been an archdruid’s, tho’ humble, yet magnificent; being 350 feet or 200 cubits long.
Pausanias in Eliac. II. writes, upon the bank of the river Cladeus is the barrow of Ænomaus; of earth, incompass’d with stones. Again in Arcadic. he says, at Pergamus is the monument of Auge, being a barrow of earth, incompass’d with a circle of stones. In the same Arcadic. Book VIII. he says, he studiously contemplated the tumulus of Æpitus, because Homer makes mention of it, admiring it, for he had seen no finer. ’Twas made of earth not very large, incompass’d with a circle of stones. Thus naturally does a genius admire works of antiquity! he seems thereby to antedate his own being, and to have lived in those times long before. He writes again in Bœot. at the barrow of Amphion are many rude stones, which they report, were the stones he drew together with his harp. Likewise there are three rude stones near the tomb of Melanippus; and the antiquarians say, Tydeus was buried there.
To go much higher in time, and equal to those we have been describing: Genes. xxxv. 20. Jacob set a pillar upon Rachel’s grave.
TAB. XXIV.
P. 46.
Stukeley delin.
Toms Sculp.
Prospect of Bekampton Avenue from Longston long Barrow 1724.
☉☉ Two Stones of the Avenue at the Crossing of the two Roads demolish’d by Rd. Fowler. B. the Termination of the avenue.