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(311 )

ON THVREE TUMULI IN G-ORSLEY WOOD,
NEAR BRIDGE, AND CANTERBURY.

BY THE REV. FRANCIS THOMAS VINE,

VICAR OF PATRICKSBOURNE AND BRIDGE.

THE tumuli, the opening of which I am about to describe,
were first pointed out to me by a friend, with whom it has
been a pleasure and privilege to be associated, in this and
other archaeological pursuits. His desire for a life of
seclusion, owing to impaired health and family bereave-
ments, prevents more than this brief acknowledgment of
the valuable information and assistance I have received
from him.

In our rambles together, we one day penetrated into
Grorsley Wood, and in the centre of the wood my friend
shewed me, amid brake and ash and hazel which were grow-
ing out of and around them, the three mounds which were
the objects of our search. One only at first caught the eye,
but closer scrutiny revealed three tumuli, of progressive
size as to their heights and the length of their diameters,
their centres lying in one straight line, and the circular

boundaries of the two outer mounds coalescing with that of“

the central one at their points of junction. Actual mea-
surement shevved the height of the largest mound (A) to
be about 4 feet, that of the second (B) about 3 feet, and
that of (C), the smallest, about 2 feet above the level of the
surrounding ground. The length of the diameters of their
bases could not be computed accurately, as the small eleva-
tion of the mounds made it difficult to decide where their
very gradual ascents really commenced. So far as we could
judge, the diameter of A was about 3-5 feet, that of B about
30 feet, and that of C about 25 feet. That the tumuli should
have remained so long unnoticed need cause no S1n‘1u'isn,


 

312 or: inane TUMULI IN GORSLEY WOOD,

when their heights are compared with their diameters;
and when it is remembered that, perhaps for centuries, they
had been almost entirely hidden by tall ferns and underwood.

On hearing of the discovery made on his property, my
kind friend and patron, the late Marquis Conyngham, not
only gave me permission to open them, but placed at my
disposal a sufficient number of workmen for the purpose,
thus taking upon himself the entire expense. In the selec-
tion of these, and in all the liberal arrangements made, I
received valuable assistance from his Lordship’s active Land
Agent, Mr. Robert Smith, who entered heartily into the
work, and in every way furthered my object.

The largest (A) of the three tumuli was the first attacked;
two trenches being dug through it at right angles to one
another. In one of these we found some fragments of a
broken urn, and a pavement slanting downwards from the
exterior towards the centre of the mound. This pavement
was formed of large red bricks or tiles, and was bordered
with flint stones. These bricks or tiles were most of them
coarsely made, badly burnt, and of the shape and size usually
known as Roman bricks. The older archaeologists, Camden
and others, called them British bricks.

It may here be mentioned that flints and broken bricks,
and among them a portion of a large amphom, were found
in other parts of the circumference of this and of the other
tumuli; but to what extent they encircled the mounds I
am unable to say, the earth having not as yet been removed
except from the trenches which were dug out. The pave-
ment of bricks with border of flints certaiiily did not form
complete circles around the mounds, and in this respect they
seem to correspond with the stones found around British
barrows opened by Canon Grreenwell in Yorkshire.

Wliile the trenches were being opened from their extre-
mities with the results described above, one of the workmen
had been digging down to the centre of the mound, and

had there discovered a human skull, seemingly imbcdded‘

in sand; it proved to be resting upon a large block of
sandstone, some of wliich had crumbled into sand. The
skull appeared to be that of a young person, and a curious

NEAR BRIDGE, AND CANTERBURY. 313

change took place in it when exposed to the air. When
first unearthed, the venous lines in the interior of the skull
were clearly defined, and of a bright red colour; but in a.
few seconds their red appearance vanished, and they could
with difficulty. be traced. My friend also noticed a dark
red discolouration, of about the size and shape of a heart,
upon the stone itself when it was first cleared of earth.
This also disappeared when exposed to the air. These
remarkable changes afford, I think, sufficient proof that the
barrows had never been opened since the burials took place.

The stone being now uncovered, the earth was dug out
round its sides, and it was found to be the cover of a large
kistvaen or stone chest, 5 feet in length by 3 feet 9 inches
in breadth. Measured internally, its length was found
to be 4 feet, its breadth 2% feet, and its depth 2;’; feet.
Since these measurements were taken, large flakes of the
stone have fallen from the sides of this kist, so that the
inner dimensions seem larger than when it was first opened.
The top ‘stone was in some parts 11 inches thick, and of such
a weight that it was necessary to remove it by the help of
pulleys attached to a neighbouring tree. The sides of the
kist were formed of large blocks of sandstone, 5 and 6
inches thick, well levelled internally, and nicely joined and
fitted to one another. They rested upon another block of
sandstone, 9 inches thick, which formed the bottom of the
kist, and which extended about a foot beyond the kist, on
one side of it. Nothing was found within the enclosure
except a few ashes; but burnt Wood and one or two frag-
ments of rude ornaments were found on the outside. A few
feet from the south corner of this kistvaen was the place of
cremation, indicated by a quantity of ashes and charcoal,
with burnt and wet earth, and what seemed to be calcined
bo11e, there discovered. An unpleasant odour was emitted
from these when first dug out. The ground below was
burnt for some depth, from which it may be surmised that
the place had been used for purposes of burning on several
occasions, and was perhaps a place of sacrifice before being
used for the cremation of the dead.

The opening of this first tumulus having 10:1 to such


314 on THREE TUMULI IN GORSLEY woon,

interesting results, all engaged in the work, including the
labourers, were eager to proceed with the other two. The
same course, of digging trenches through the mounds, was
adopted as before; but the experience new gained led us
to direct particular attention in each case to the centre of
the tumulus. Nothing of special interest, beyond the find-
ing of two or three fractured urns, presented itself until the
centres were reached. We were then rewarded by finding
in each tumulus a kistvaen similar in most respects to that
previously discovered. The depth of the top stone of each
kist was about a foot below the present level of the sur-
rounding ground. This level, from the accumulation of
fallen leaves, is evidently higher than it once was.

The results of these further excavations were thus de-
scribed by me at the time, and I have nothing to alter or
to add to what I then related :-—

“ The second tumulus contained a kistvaen (B) of exactly
the same dimensions as the first. One corner of the top
stone of this kist was broken off; probably in its conveyance
from the coast, as the piece could not be found. The earth
of the mound had in consequence fallen in, and nearly filled
the chamber. Two small pieces of charred bone and a few
ashes, one little piece of bronze ornament, and a fewofragu
ments of thin glass were all that could be found amongst
the debris. The third mound was so nearly on a level with
the surrounding ground that it would probably have escaped
notice but for the other two. In it was a third kistvaen (C),
quite perfect, a1.d unbroken (length 3 feet, breadth 2% feet,
depth  feet). It is remarkable that the depth of this kist
was equal to its length, while the depth of each of the
others was the same as the breadth. The contents also of
this were different. In it was a large quantity of bones, in
small fragments; and a medical friend who was present
traced portions of the skull and of most other parts of M1
entire human skeleton. Some of the bones seemed to have
been burnt, but the greater part had escaped the fire. A
small particle of bronze and a few pieces of fine glass were
also found in this kist. In the mound itself were found
two fractured urns, smaller and of a more delicate lnalce

 

NEAR BRIDGE, AND CANTERBURY. 315

than those found in the other mounds. Although the cover
and sides of the kist were unbroken, the accumulation of
sediment, deposited by the moisture which had found its
way in from the surrounding ground, had half filled the kist.
At the bottom were some large flint stones, possibly those
on which the body had been placed for cremation, and
therefore reverentially preserved by the Druids, and de-
posited with the bones.”

In connection with these particulars, it may be noticed
that there is evident harmony of design in the construction
and relative positions of the kistvaens. The direction of
each is nearly the same; the sides pointing, with but little
variation, north-west and south-east. The distances between
the two outer kists and the central one are also nearly
equal. The dimensions of kists A and B are the same, those
of C designedly different; the internal depths of the two
former being equal to their breadths, while that of the last
is equal to its length.

One place of cremation only has been as yet discovered,
namely, that already described near the first kist (A). VVith
regard to the remains found in the three kists, there would
appear to have been considerable difference as to the extent
of the cremation which had taken place. A few ashes, but
no bones, except one small bone apparently of a bird or
some small animal, were found in kist A. From this I

should imagine that cremation had in this case been per-' ‘

fcctly performed; the body being entirely consumed, except
the head, which was placed on the cover of the kist, and had
apparently not been committed to the fire. In kist B the
cremation was not quite perfect, two small pieces of charred
bone being found among the ashes. With respect to the
body found in the third kist (C), most of the bones were
untouched by the fire, though a sufficient number shewed
traces of burning, to prove that cremation. had to some
extent been attempted. This difference in the mode and
extent of the practice of cremation is noticed by Canon
Grreenwell in his account of the British barrows in Yorkslnire.
“ The application of fire,” he says, “ to the body was one of
the rites which was commonly practised in connection with


316 ON THREE TUMULI IN GORSLEY WOOD,

burial. The extent of the burning varied much, as might
be expected, and as is found to be the case in India at the
present day. Sometimes the bones were reduced almost to
powder, at other times they were so little consumed that
each particular bone can be recognised, whilst in seine cases
only a part of them has been acted upon by the fire, other
portions being in a perfectly uncalcined state. It appears
then to have been considered suflieient that fire should be
applied to the body Without reducing it eompletel y to ashes ;
and if so, it is quite possible to understand how the applica-
tion might in some cases be so trifling as to leave upon the
bones no indication of fire having been in contact with the
body.”

Nothing of a11y intrinsic value was found in or about the
kistvaens. A few articles discovered, however, have an
arclncological interest. Among these may be mentioned
the very fine glass, some small pieces of which were found
in each kist. It is as thin and as clear as a modern watch-
glass, and is free from any iridescence, such as is usually
produced upon glass by the chemical properties of the
earth. The late Mr. Hughes, of the firm of V\Tard and
Hughes (by whose regretted death the Kent Arclucological
Society loses one of its members), informed me that this
was in consequence of its absolute purity, and proved that
it was manufactured of the very finest sand, without any
metallic admixture. Some pieces of the glass were found
adhering, in a circular form, round a kind of greenish earth,
shcwing that they were probably the remains of a small
unguent bottle.

Another piece of dark green glass, found near kist A,
is apparently part of a bodkin or hairpin. It is surrounded
by a spiral line rouglily cut in the glass, and terminates in
a point which resembles a small adder-head.

A few small pieces of iron, like nails or mlggeis, much
corroded, were found near kist A. Upon two of them a. trace
of gold is discernible. It is very minute, but when exa-
mined through the microscope is seen to consist of narrow
strips of gold tissue like shavings. The small lyron‘/.e
oriiaizwnls found are so fraginenlary that tlieir o1‘i;.:'in;il 11.»:-

f,

 

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NEAR BRIDGE, AND CANTERBURY. 317

can only be guessed at. They are apparently parts of
fibulae, or of earrings, made of very thin metal, and in some
instances seem to have been combined with wood.

The three or four cinerary urns, none of them perfect,
which were discovered, not near the kistvaens, but in various
parts of the mounds, were probably inserted subsequently to
the ’fihI‘0Wi11g up of the tumuli, and may not belong to the
same period as the central kists. The not unfrequent use
of ground which former inhabitants of the country have set
apart for burial, by these races who have succeeded or dis-
possessed them, has been noticed by the narr-ators of other
explorations ; amongst them by the Rev. Bryan Faussctt, in
his Iaven,tor1Tmn. ;S'z3pu.lc7z,ralc, in which he points out the con-
tiguity of Saxon graves in this neighbourhood with those of
the Romano-British and Roman period. That this may be
the true explanatioii of the various interments in the tumuli
at Gorsley was first suggested to me by Mr. George Payne,
who has identified one of the urns as of Durobrivian pottery,
and another as of Upchurch ware. My obligations are due
to him, and to his friend Mr. Wa1‘ren, who has kindly sup-
plied architectural drawings of the kists.

I am also indebted to the.Rev. Canon Scott Robertson
and to Mr. C. Roach Smith for the interest they have kindly
taken in the discoveries at Gorsley, and for their sugges-
tions. li am glad to be confirmed by the latter in my
opinion that the kists contain the burnt remains of British
chiefs; although he considers that these chiefs were reguli
under the Roman domination.
the various articles found in and about the kists he assigns
the interments to the Ron1ano—British period. I have reason
myself to believe that the kistvaens themselves belong to a
n1uel1 earlier period ; but as this paper is professetlly a
simple relation of facts, I refrain from the discussion of
any controvertible question.

I am glad to be able to add that the kistvacns have been
effectively enclosed, and that the present Marquis on yngha in
takes the same interest which his lamented father did in
the preservation of these ancient monuments.

From an examination of