Page:Surrey Archaeological Collections Volume 1.djvu/157

 to have dislodged and broken to pieces a fine mortuary urn.

Thus mutilated, the Barrow afforded but slight encouragement to the explorers: it was, however, resolved to excavate it to its base. In its imperfect state, its altitude was about twelve feet; its breadth from north to south fifty-two feet, and from east to west ninety-six feet. These measurements show how much had been removed when the road was widened.

The exploration commenced by the opening of a trench eight feet wide, but the presence of bricks and tiles, carelessly thrown in by former investigators, discouraged further excavation in that direction; accordingly, a trench of the same width was opened on the south side. After several hours' work, the labourers reached the centre of the floor, which was plainly indicated by the sand being burnt to a brick-colour. Traces of charcoal were now apparent, and after a few minutes' careful examination and removal of these indications, a small heap of calcined human bones was discovered. Upon these was laid the dagger-blade represented in the accompanying plate.

No traces of an urn, nor of any other object, except a few chippings of flint, were observed. Fragments of the like character are found in primeval tumuli, and may have been used by the tribe which assisted at these obsequies.

This Barrow was formed entirely of the surrounding soil, consisting chiefly of a compact sand, and was singularly free from large flints and stones. Nor was the heap of bones protected by a covering of stones, or by soil differing from that of the mound.

Further excavations on the following day brought to light the fragments of the large urn already spoken of,