Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 8.djvu/451

AT BROUGMToN. LINCoI.NSIlIRK. 3IU every year more dry, thus causing tlie soil lo settle down and lose its spongy nature. The old forest tinii.er thus again makes its appearance above the surlace ; and it is drawn away by degrees to the neighbouring farms to be used for some useful purpose. Jt cannot be altogether improbable that these woods were in existence, and possibly in full vigour, at the time when the barrows were formed. The proximit}' of the latter to the forest, the similarity of the surface soil, the charcoal found surrounding the urns being wholly of oak, apparently boughs of a small size and coarse grain, may serve as indications that this was the case. We cannot suppose that the Britons would bury their dead in a swamp, which this had become, and, until drained by the present owner, the land, during the winter, was only fit to harbour snipes. The whole of this group of barrows being of the same peculiar form cannot be attributed to any change having taken place during late j^ears ; those who might have made the alteration would not have taken the trouble to distribute the soil in such a regular form, leaving the deposit exactly in the centre of each barrovr. The custom of placing the urns in an erect position by tliis tribe, is not of an unusual occurrence in the county of Lincoln ; one of a similar type to Xo. 3, varying only in size, having been found in the month of March, 1850, at Lincoln. It was discovered in grubbing up a hedge to enlarge a nursery garden about 100 yards from the north-east corner of the Roman wall. This urn was found two feet from the surface. The stone had been taken out for about 10 in. in depth by 14 in. in width ; the urn was placed in the cavity erect. Charcoal and ashes were heaped up at the sides and over it. The ui-n was unfortunately struck and broken by the pick ; the fragments were partly restored, and, when whole, it would measure about 9 in. by 6f in. over the top. It was filled up Avith burnt bones, but nothing more was found within. The chevron pattern was impressed deeply and distinctly upon the outside for 4^ in. from the top. the inside was also scored, for a short distance from the rim, (U in.) with the same pattern. It seems to have been a frequent custom with the l^ritons at their burials by cremation, to cover the funereal urn with VOL. VIII. ^ ^