List of long barrows in the United Kingdom facts for kids
Long barrows are ancient burial mounds found across the United Kingdom. They were built by people living in the Stone Age, also known as the Neolithic period, which was a very long time ago! These special mounds were used as tombs for many people, not just one.
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What are Long Barrows?
Long barrows get their name from their shape: they are long and rectangular or oval. Imagine a giant, low hill shaped like a loaf of bread! They are usually made from earth, stones, and sometimes wood. Inside, there were often chambers or passages where the remains of people were placed.
These impressive structures were built by early farming communities. They show us that these ancient people had complex beliefs about death and the afterlife. Building such large monuments would have taken a lot of effort and cooperation from many people.
Why are They Important?
Long barrows are like giant history books made of earth and stone. They teach us a lot about the people who lived thousands of years ago. By studying them, archaeologists can learn about their customs, their tools, and how they organized their societies.
Many long barrows are protected historical sites today. This means they are very important parts of our heritage. They help us connect with the past and understand the journey of human civilization in Britain.
Long Barrows in England
England has many famous long barrows. Each one tells a unique story about the ancient communities that built it.
- Belas Knap, Gloucestershire
- Cat's Brain Long Barrow, Wiltshire
- Coldrum Long Barrow, Kent
- Fussell's Lodge, Wiltshire
- Foulmere Fen, Cambridgeshire
- Couckoo Ball Long Barrow, Devon
- Butterdon Hill Long Barrow, Dartmoor, Devon
- Corringdoon Ball Long Barrow, Devon
- Giants' Hills, Lincolnshire
- Hazleton long barrows, north and south, Gloucestershire
- Julliberrie's Grave, Kent
- Long Barrow, near the Seven Barrows, Berkshire
- Nympsfield Long Barrow, Gloucestershire
- Stoney Littleton Long Barrow, Somerset
- Street House, North Yorkshire
- Uley Long Barrow (also known as Hetty Pegler's Tump), Gloucestershire
- Wayland's Smithy, Oxfordshire
- West Kennet Long Barrow, Wiltshire
- White Barrow, Wiltshire
- Windmill tump, Gloucestershire
- Long barrow, Therfield Heath, near Royston, Hertfordshire
Long Barrows in Wales
Wales is also home to several important long barrows. These sites show how widespread this ancient burial practice was across the island.
- Ffostyll Long Barrows
- Ty-Isaf Long Barrow
- Cwm Fforest Long Barrow
- Ty Illtyd Long Barrow
- Pen-y-Wyrlod Long Barrow
- Mynydd Troed Long Barrow
- Pipton Long Barrow
- Pen-y-Garn-Goch Long Barrow
- Little Lodge Long Barrow
- Waun Pwtlyn Long Barrow
- Tythegston Long Barrow
- New House Long Barrow
- Heston Brake Long Barrow
- Thornwell Farm Long Barrow
Long Barrows in Scotland
Scotland also has its share of these ancient monuments. They are fascinating reminders of the early people who lived there.
- Broadfold Cottage long barrow
- Capo Plantation long barrow
- Catto Long Barrow, Aberdeenshire
- Gerrieswells long barrow
- Herald Hill long barrow
- Longman Cairn long barrow
- Pitlurg long barrow
