Halls of the Dead Found in the United Kingdom
August 8, 2013
The discovery of charred remains from two Neolithic longhouses that likely served as “Halls of the Dead” for ancient Britons nearly 6,000 years ago have been reported by archaeologists in the United Kingdom. The wooden remains were uncovered within two barrows (earthen mounds) excavated at Dorstone Hill, near Hereford, by archaeologists from the University of Manchester and the Hereford Council. The longhouses were used by Neolithic people to house the bodies of high-status people. Archaeologists believe that such structures were revered because ancient Europeans believed that the household was as significant to the dead as it was to the living.
Ancient people in what is now the United Kingdom and Ireland constructed barrows from about 4000 B.C. until the start of Saxon rule, about A.D. 450 to 500. The oldest barrows date to the early Neolithic period, when the ancient Britons were starting to settle into small communities. The barrows at Dorstone Hill predate the construction of the massive complex at Stonehenge by about 1,000 years.
Archaeologists discovered the two barrows at Dorstone Hill while surveying a field where ancient flint artifacts were found over many years. While excavating the two barrows, which are 230 feet (70 meters) and 98 feet (30 meters) in length, they discovered unusually well-preserved remains of the wooden longhouses. Much of the detail of the two longhouses could be seen from the pattern of charred timbers and stakes as well as postholes visible as patches of darkened earth. The remains revealed a pair of long buildings with aisles and internal partitions framed by upright posts that held up a wooden or thatch roof. Hard chunks of burnt clay scattered about indicated the walls of the longhouses were covered with a mud daub.
At the end of the smaller barrow, darkened earth showed a pattern of large upright posts surrounding a long trough that would have been lined with wooden planks. This structure was likely used as mortuary chamber, where the bodies of 30 to 70 people were held. The dead were usually buried in such chambers long after all the flesh had rotted away.
Archaeologists believe the longhouses were deliberately burned down after some time and the ashes were used to construct the earthen barrows. The halls were most likely burned after some critical event occurred, such as when the head of an important family died. But no human remains have been preserved in the acidic soils of Dorstone Hill. The barrow would have served as a reminder to future generations that an important person was buried at this location. The archaeologists found several fine flint blades buried in the barrows suggesting that people occasionally returned to the site to leave offerings for the dead.
Additional World Book articles:
- Arthur, King
- Celts
- Celtic art
- Druids
- England (History)