Monument record MDO3877 - Longbury or Slaughter Barrow, Gillingham

A long barrow oriented east – west and situated to the north of Bainly Bottom. In 1972 this monument was described as being an earthwork around 130 long, with the mound about 40 feet wide and 6½ feet high at its highest point. Antiquarian investigation of this barrow in 1802 revealed several skeletons, thought to be primary burials. Excavation in 1855 found more skeletons, interpreted as later intrusive burials. A small excavation in 1951-2 revealed little, but in 1953 part of another skeleton, also thought to be a later burial, was found in the mound.

A grass covered long barrow orientated east-west which has been extensively mutilated. It is 40.0m long and averages 13.0m in width, and is approximately 1.4m in height throughout.

6.0m from the east end a V-shaped trench has been dug across the mound from north to south, this trench is 3.5m wide at the top and does not go below the natural surface; it shows the composition of the mound to be a mixture of earth and small stone slabs.

There are four other depressions along the top of the mound, and the west end has been almost destroyed for 9.0m by a silage pit, the upcast from which has been thrown to the north. There are no visible side ditches. <3>

Longbury or Slaughter Barrow. A long barrow aligned east-west, and measuring 130ft long, 40ft wide and 6 1/2ft high. In 1802 the barrow was opened, when several skeletons, perhaps primary burials, were found on the original ground level. In 1855 it was again opened at the east end when several skeletons were found, perhaps secondary or intrusive, and fragments of "some very rude earthen vessel". A small excavation by T Porter in 1951-2 produced no significant results. In 1953 part of a seconday or intrusive skeleton was found in the upper part of the mound. <5> <7>

ST 78752723. 'Longbury' (name in local use). No change except the silage pit at the west end has now been levelled, and the material spread to the north and south at this point. This has resulted in the long barrow being reduced to an apparent length of 36.0m; it remains under grass. 1:2500 AM revised. <6>

Teulon Porter, Noel, Report on the 1951 excavation of Slaughtergate Bury, 1 mile West of Gillingham (Unpublished document). SDO20669.

<1> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1952, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1951, 113 (Serial). SDO51.

<2> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1956, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1954, 96 (Serial). SDO54.

<3> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 03-FEB-56 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<4> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1962 (Map). SWX1540.

(ST 78752723) Longbury (NAT) Long Barrow (NR)

<5> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1972, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume IV (North), 36 (Monograph). SDO99.

'(102) LONGBURY or SLAUGHTER BARROW (78752723), a long barrow, lies N. of Bainly Bottom at an altitude of about 320 ft., on the Corallian Beds; it is orientated E.-W. and measures 130 ft. in length, 40 ft. in width and up to 6½ ft. in height. When opened in 1802 several skeletons, perhaps primary burials, were found on the original ground level; when opened again in 1855 several other skeletons were found, perhaps secondary or intrusive, and fragments of 'some very rude earthen vessel'. A small excavation in 1951-2 gave no significant results. In 1953 part of a secondary or intrusive skeleton was found in the upper part of the mound.
(C.T.D., Pt. 3, No. 84; Notes & Queries, 1st sereies, XII (1855), 364; Hutchins III, 615 (note), 662; Dorset Procs. 73(1951), 113; 76(1854),96.)'

<6> Barrett, G, Various, Field Investigators Comments GB, F2 GB 14-AUG-77 (Unpublished document). SDO17369.

<7> Ordnance Survey, 6.6.75, OS 75/197 299-30 (Aerial Photograph). SDO17611.

<8> Ross, M S, 1987, Kington Magna and Surrounding Areas: A Fieldwalking Survey of the Prehistory (1979-1987); Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society (Article in serial). SDO11475.

<9> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1988, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1987, 95 (Serial). SDO87.

<10> Historic England, Historic England Archive, AO56/27/5 (Index). SDO14738.

VIEW FROM SOUTH-WEST. MUCH MUTILATED LONG BARROW, PARTICULARLY DISTURBED AT WEST END BY CONSTRUCTION OF A SILAGE PIT

<11> Historic England, Historic England Archive, AO56/27/6 (Index). SDO14738.

VIEW FROM NORTH-WEST. MUCH MUTILATED ESPECIALLY AT THE WEST END DUE TO CONSTRUCTION OF A SILAGE PIT

<12> National Record of the Historic Environment, 202314 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Apr 10 2024 11:53AM