barrow

views updated

barrow In archaeology, a prehistoric burial mound. Various types of barrow are found, but in Europe they are usually either long or round. Long barrows were built in the Neolithic period, and consisted of a long vault built of huge stones, roofed with stone slabs and covered with soil or chalk. Many long barrows were used for multiple burials. Round barrows primarily date to the early Bronze Age, but some in England were built as late as Roman and Saxon times. Usually containing a single body, round barrows vary in diameter from 1.5–50m (4.5–160ft) and are often surrounded by banks and ditches.

More From encyclopedia.com

About this article

barrow

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article

Related Content