Barrows

Barrow, or tumulus, is a mound of earth or stones raised over a grave or graves. Barrows are among the most recognizable prehistoric funerary monuments, found across Europe but most numerous in the British Isles. They date from the late Neolithic to the Bronze Age (roughly 3300–1200 BCE).

Barrows are commonly classified as long barrows and round barrows. Long barrows are elongated mounds that often cover a chamber with multiple burials. Round barrows are circular and usually contain a single burial, sometimes with additional inhumations or cremations; many have a surrounding ditch and bank.

Contents and use: Grave goods such as pottery, flint, metal implements, and beads accompany burials, varying by period and region. Cremations are common in some phases, while others preserve inhumations. Some barrows show evidence of secondary interments or reuse across generations.

Distribution and significance: Barrows occur across Europe, with high concentrations in Britain and Ireland. They were built over centuries and reused in later periods. Sizes range from small mounds to extensive earthworks. Many survive as visible earthworks; some were excavated or damaged by ploughing.

Protection and study: Today barrows are protected as archaeological heritage. Research uses surveying, geophysical methods, and targeted excavations to illuminate burial practices, social structure, and landscape use.