West Kennet Long Barrow by munki-boy
West Kennet Long Barrow
West Kennet Long Barrow is a Neolithic burial mound dating back about 5,500 years. It is one of the largest and best-preserved examples of a chambered tomb in southern England.# West Kennet Long Barrow Entrance The West Kennet Long Barrow was built about 1,000 years before Silbury Hill. It was constructed from local sarsen stone and limestone, and topped with chalk dug from two side ditches which have now silted up.# Inside West Kennet Long Barrow Inside West Kennet Long Barrow there are five burial chambers which were constructed at the eastern end of the monument. It is possible that the western end of the mound may have been added at a later date and largely constructed of chalk and sarsen rubble.
Tea-lights and wildflowers have been placed inside the barrow - a practice that is fairly common in recent times, which raises dissaproval from some people but although it may be misguided as we can’t possible know the intention of the original creators of the barrow, it is a practice that shows people in modern times have respect for the site. It may also give clues to the interpretation of stages of use for such structures in the past at various times throughout history, for we may not be the first people to do such things. # West Kennet Long Barrow Burial Chambers Excavations have revealed that the West Kennet Long Barrow was used as a communal tomb - at least 46 people were buried here over a 1,000 year period.
The chambers contained the remains of a cross section of the community, men and women, and from the very-young to the elderly. Few complete skeletons were found intact and it appears that bones were rearranged, or sometimes removed altogether, probably as ritual practices.
Analysis of the human bones has shown thai arthritis and toothache were common complaints in Neolithic times.
About 4,000 years ago, the tomb was deliberately filled in and the entrance blocked.# West Kennet Long Barrow Modern Skylight and Cap In 1859 John Thurnam excavated the western chamber and central passage. He was apparently unaware of the existence of the other chambers, which were not excavated until 1955 by Stuart Piggot and Richard Atkinson.
A modern concrete cap now forms the roof of the West Kennet Long Barrow and a small skylight allows some illumination of the interior.
West Kennet Long Barrow is in North Wessex Downs AONB, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Created: 27 November 2016 Edited: 29 November 2023
West Kennet Long Barrow
West Kennet Long Barrow LiDAR Map
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
Local History around West Kennet Long Barrow
There are some historic monuments around including:
Four bowl barrows forming part of a cemetery 270m east of long barrow on Roughridge HillAvebury henge and stone circlesBowl barrow 375m east of Wick Bottom BarnBowl barrow forming part of a round barrow cemetery situated 120m NNW of Down Barn on North DownPair of bowl barrows on West Down, 550m east of Witch PlantationBowl barrow 800m north-east of Hackpen BarnRound barrow forming part of the Fox Covert round barrow cemetery on West DownBowl barrow 50m south-east of the `Sanctuary' forming part of the Overton Hill round barrow cemetery.Pair of Bronze Age bowl barrows 200m WSW of Beckhampton Buildings forming part of a barrow cemetery situated on North DownTwo bowl barrows 670m south east of Beckhampton Buildings, forming part of a round barrow cemetery on Horton DownBowl barrow 300m south-east of Walker's PlantationSilbury Hill: a monumental Neolithic mound west of the River Kennet and south of Avebury villagePair of round barrows and section of linear earthwork NE of the gallops on West DownField system E of Kitchen Barrow HillSection of Roman Road 560m north east of Beckhampton BuildingsBowl barrow 700m south-east of Windmill HillBowl barrow immediately west of the Ridgeway, 400m north east of its junction with Green StreetBowl barrow 230m west of The Grange, BeckhamptonGroup of small enclosures on Horton Down, 910m north east of Easton Down long barrowThree sections of a linear earthwork south west of New BarnAdam's Grave: a long barrow on Walker's HillBell barrow forming part of a round barrow cemetery on North DownKnap Hill camp near Alton PriorsGrange bowl barrow 130m north west of The Grange Stables bell barrow, BeckhamptonAvebury Long Stones 380m east of The Grange Stables, BeckhamptonKitchen Barrow: a long barrow on Kitchen Barrow HillGrange Stables bell barrowEarthwork enclosure on Milk HillWansdyke: section from S of Furze Hill to Marlborough-Pewsey roadGroup of four round barrows 300m north west of the junction between the Ridgeway and Green Street on Avebury DownBowl barrow 200m north of East Kennett long barrow forming part of a cemeteryBowl barrow 800m south-east of Tanhill PenningBowl barrow 500m north-west of Berwick Bassett ClumpBell barrow 300m south-east of Avebury Down Barn forming part of a Bronze Age round barrow cemetery on Avebury DownBowl barrow forming part of a Bronze Age cemetery 400m north-east of West Kennett Farm on Overton HillBowl barrow forming part of a cemetery 800m east of Kitchen BarrowBowl barrow 200m east of Windmill Hill: part of the Windmill Hill round barrow cemetery.Rybury campTwo bowl barrows 400m south of Tanhill PenningSharpridge field systemBowl barrow 50m north east of East Kennett long barrow forming part of a cemeteryPair of Bronze Age bowl barrows 400m south west of Beckhampton Buildings, forming part of a cemetery on North DownBowl barrow 870m ESE of New Barn on Monkton DownThree bell barrows and a pillow mound 400m south-west of Knap CottageHarepit Way linear boundaryPair of round barrows forming part of the Bronze Age round barrow cemetery 400m north-east of West Kennett FarmLong barrow and abutting bowl barrow 700m WSW of Beckhampton Buildings, forming the focus of a barrow cemetery on North DownThree Roman burial mounds, a Bronze Age bowl barrow, a pagan Saxon inhumation cemetery and a short length of Roman road on Overton Hill.Two enclosures on Winterbourne DownBowl barrow on Calstone Down, 500m south of Witch PlantationLangdean stone circleAll Cannings Cross, an Early Iron Age settlement siteSection of Wansdyke and associated monuments from east of The Firs to the eastern side of Tan HillBell barrow 600m west of Beckhampton BuildingsBowl barrow 200m south of Windmill Hill: part of the Windmill Hill round barrow cemeteryTwo round barrows W of New Town FarmBowl barrow 1km north-east of Avebury and 70m north of Green StreetRemains of `Falkner's Circle', a Neolithic stone circle 180m east of the West Kennet AvenueBowl barrow in The Belt, 350m north east of Hill BarnBowl barrow 200m south of Green Street and 1100m east of the Avebury henge monument, forming part of a round barrow cemetery on Avebury DownEarthwork enclosure 950m SSE of Manor FarmEarthwork enclosure on Allington DownBowl barrow forming part of a linear round barrow cemetery on Allington DownRichardson medieval settlementStone circleBowl barrow 750m south-east of Windmill HillThree bowl barrows 600m south-west of Knap CottageEarth Burgh (or Eorth Burh) NW of New Town FarmHorslip long barrow, 450m north-west of Horslip Bridge.Group of round barrows on Rough HillPair of bowl barrows situated on the south east of Bishop's Cannings DownPair of round barrows 400m west of the Ridgeway, forming part of a round barrow cemetery situated on Avebury DownFour round barrows 740m east of Kitchen Barrow, forming part of a round barrow cemetery on All Cannings DownWest Kennet long barrow, 800m south-east of Silbury HillBell barrow 350m south-west of Barbury BarnBowl barrow 610m south east of Beckhampton Buildings, forming part of a round barrow cemetery on Horton DownBowl barrow 130m SSW of Beckhampton Buildings forming part of a barrow cemetery situated on North DownBowl barrow situated 60m west of Beckhampton Buildings forming part of a round barrow cemetery on North DownPair of round barrows 200m SSE of Windmill Hill: part of the Windmill Hill round barrow cemetery.Group of five round barrows north-east of the Sanctuary: part of the Overton Hill round barrow cemetery.Saucer barrow 620m north of New Barn: Part of a barrow cemetery on Monkton DownTwo bell barrows and a bowl barrow forming part of a round barrow cemetery adjacent to the Devizes to Beckhampton road on North DownThree confluent round barrows 580m west of the Ridgeway, forming part of a Bronze Age round barrow cemetery on Avebury DownBowl barrow on Kitchen Barrow HillSix bowl barrows 560m north of New Barn: part of a barrow cemetery on Monkton DownEnclosure on Horton DownSaucer barrow on North DownPair of bowl barrows forming part of a round barrow cemetery on Allington DownEnclosed Iron Age farmstead 450m south of Down Barn on Bishop's Cannings DownFour earthwork enclosures on All Cannings DownBowl barrow 750m east of New BarnSection of the WansdykeWest Kennett Farm palisaded enclosuresDitch W of Tanhill FairBowl barrow 120m west of East Kennett long barrow forming part of a cemeterySaucer barrow 600m west of Beckhampton BuildingsBowl barrow 200m east of East Kennett long barrow forming part of a barrow cemeteryBell barrow on Easton DownBowl barrow 400m west of Cooks PlantationBell barrow 660m south east of Beckhampton Buildings, forming part of a round barrow cemetery on Horton DownPenning bell barrow 600m east of Avebury Down BarnBowl barrow 190m north east of Nolands Farm, YatesburyEarthwork enclosure N of WansdykeBell barrow situated between Bishop's Cannings Down and Easton DownBowl barrow 750m south-west of Manor Farm: part of the Windmill Hill round barrow cemeteryBarrow on Avebury Down, S of track from AveburyLinear barrow cemetery on Hackpen HillTen barrows forming part of Fox Covert round barrow cemetery, West Down.A henge, four Bronze Age barrows and part of a Roman road 500m south west of Fox CovertA causewayed enclosure, the core of a round barrow cemetery, part of a prehistoric field system and an associated mortuary enclosure on Windmill HillWest Kennet bell barrow, 160m north-west of West Kennet long barrowBowl barrow 950m SSW of Beckhampton Plantation, forming part of a round barrow cemetery on Horton DownGreen Bank bowl barrow, 230m east of the Avebury henge monumentBowl barrow 750m south west of Beckhampton Buildings forming part of a round barrow cemetery on North DownDevil's Den long barrow, 600m east of White AcreBowl barrow 650m ESE of New Barn, between Avebury Down and Monkton DownBowl barrow 900m south west of the junction of the Ridgeway and Green Street, forming part of a round barrow cemetery on Avebury DownThe Sanctuary, Overton HillGroup of four round barrows 500m south-east of Avebury Down Barn, forming part of a Bronze Age round barrow cemetery on Avebury DownSite of an oval stone circle and part of an adjacent field system 700m SW of West Kennet long barrow.Bowl barrow 150m north of the Alton White HorseBowl barrow 300m south of Fox Covert forming part of the Fox Covert round barrow cemetery on West DownBowl barrow 770m south west of the junction of the Ridgeway and Green Street, forming part of a round barrow cemetery on Avebury DownRound barrow cemetery and part of a field system 200m south of Beckhampton PenningIron Age enclosure on Overton Hill, 600m north west of North FarmSouth Street long barrow, 70m south east of the Long StonesWick Down Farm earthworkPair of bowl barrows 150m north of the Wansdyke on All Cannings DownBowl barrow 800m south of Hemp KnollLong Stones long barrow 150m north of Beckhampton HouseShrunken medieval village site E of Avebury TrusloeEarthwork W of New Town FarmWest Kennet Avenue and an earthwork bank east of West Kennett FarmBowl barrow east of the Ridgeway forming part of the Overton Hill Bronze Age round barrow cemetery.Prehistoric to post-medieval settlement, cultivation, industrial and funerary remains on Fyfield, Overton and Manton DownsThree Bronze Age barrows 200m NNW of Down Barn forming part of a barrow cemetery situated on North DownGroup of six round barrows forming part of a Bronze Age cemetery 400m north-east of West Kennett FarmBell barrow 75m west of Red ShoreMedieval settlement remains immediately west of The VicarageBowl barrow 350m north-east of White Horse PlantationBowl barrow 500m west of The RowBowl barrow 900m SSE of Green BankSwanborough TumpLong barrow on Easton DownLinear round barrow cemetery 200m ENE of West Kennett long barrowRound barrow cemetery 400m south of Avebury henge monument on Waden HillBowl barrow forming part of a linear round barrow cemetery on Allington DownTwo bowl barrows 320m south-east of Little LondonBowl barrow 1km west of Tan HillBowl barrow 40m north west of East Kennett long barrow forming part of a cemeteryBell barrow forming part of a round barrow cemetery 400m north-east of West Kennett Farm on Overton HillEast Kennett long barrow, 600m south of East Kennett churchGroup of barrows on Draycott HillBowl barrow 630m north east of Wick Bottom BarnSquare enclosure 350m north of Wansdyke on Bishop's Cannings DownTwo saucer barrows and a pair of bowl barrows 750m SSW of Beckhampton Plantation, forming part of a round barrow cemetery on Horton DownPreshute Down field systemBeckhampton round barrow cemetery 150m north east of the `Waggon and Horses'Bowl barrow 50m south of The Sanctuary on Overton Hill, forming part of the Seven Barrow Hill round barrow cemeteryField system 275yds (250m) N of Field BarnBowl barrow forming part of a round barrow cemetery 120m north of the Devizes to Beckhampton road on North DownPair of bowl barrows 650m south west of Beckhampton Buildings, forming part of a round barrow cemetery on North DownEarthwork NW of New Town FarmBowl barrow 640m south west of Beckhampton Buildings forming part of a round barrow cemetery on North DownSharpridge earthworksBowl barrow forming part of a round barrow cemetery on Allington DownLong barrow on Horton DownSaucer barrow 250m east of Windmill Hill: part of the Windmill Hill round barrow cemeteryBowl barrow 70m north of Green Street and east of the Avebury henge monumentBarrow S of WansdykeWinterbourne Bassett mound.
