Part 9

In 1722, my late Lord _Pembroke_, Earl _Thomas_, who was pleas’d to favour my inquiries at this place, open’d a barrow, in order to find the position of the body observ’d in these early days. He pitch’d upon one of those south of _Stonehenge_, close upon the road thither from _Wilton_: and on the east side of the road. ’Tis one of the double barrows, or where two are inclos’d in one ditch: one of those, which I suppose the later kind, and of a fine turn’d bell-fashion. It may be seen in _Plate_ IX. On the west side, he made a section from the top to the bottom, an intire segment, from center to circumference. The manner of composition of the barrow was good earth, quite thro’, except a coat of chalk of about two foot thickness, covering it quite over, under the turf. Hence it appears, that the method of making these barrows was to dig up the turf for a great space round, till the barrow was brought to its intended bulk. Then with the chalk, dug out of the environing ditch, they powder’d it all over. So that for a considerable time, these barrows must have look’d white: even for some number of years. And the notion of sanctity annex’d to them, forbid people trampling on them, till perfectly settled and turf’d over. Hence the neatness of their form to this day. At the top or center of this barrow, not above three foot under the surface, my Lord found the skeleton of the interr’d; perfect, of a reasonable size, the head lying toward _Stonehenge_, or northward.

The year following, in order to prosecute this inquiry, by my Lord’s order, I begun upon a barrow north of _Stonehenge_, in that group south of the _cursus_. ’Tis one of the double barrows there: and the more easterly, and lower of the two: likewise somewhat less. It was reasonable to believe, this was the sepulture of a man and his wife: and that the lesser was the female: and so it prov’d, at least a daughter. We made a large cut on the top from east to west. After the turf taken off, we came to the layer of chalk, as before, then fine garden mould. About three foot below the surface, a layer of flints, humouring the convexity of the barrow. These flints are gather’d from the surface of the downs in some places, especially where it has been plow’d. This being about a foot thick, rested on a layer of soft mould another foot: in which was inclos’d an urn full of bones. This urn was of unbak’d clay, of a dark reddish colour: crumbled into pieces. It had been rudely wrought with small mouldings round the verge, and other circular channels on the outside, with several indentures between, made with a pointed tool, as depicted in _Plate_ XXXII. where I have drawn all the sorts of things found in this barrow. The bones had been burnt, and crouded all together in a little heap, not so much as a hat crown would contain. The collar bone, and one side of the under-jaw are grav’d in their true magnitude. It appears to have been a girl of about 14 years old, by their bulk and the great quantity of female ornaments mix’d with the bones, all which we gather’d. Beads of all sorts, and in great number, of glass of divers colours, most yellow, one black. Many single, many in long pieces notch’d between, so as to resemble a string of beads, and these were generally of a blue colour. There were many of amber, of all shapes and sizes, flat squares, long squares, round, oblong, little and great. Likewise many of earth, of different shapes, magnitude and colour, some little and white, many large and flattish like a button, others like a pully. But all had holes to run a string thro’, either thro’ their diameter, or sides. Many of the button sort seem to have been cover’d with metal, there being a rim work’d in them, wherein to turn the edge of the covering. One of these was cover’d with a thin film of pure gold. These were the young lady’s ornaments. And had all undergone the fire: so that what would easily consume fell to pieces as soon as handled. Much of the amber burnt half thro’. This person was a heroin, for we found the head of her javelin in brass. At bottom are two holes for the pins that fastned it to the staff. Besides, there was a sharp bodkin, round at one end, square at the other, where it went into a handle. I still preserve whatever is permanent of these trinkets. But we recompos’d the ashes of the illustrious defunct, and cover’d them with earth. Leaving visible marks at top, of the barrow having been open’d, to dissuade any other from again disturbing them: and this was our practice in all the rest.

Then we op’d the next barrow to it, inclos’d in the same ditch, which we suppos’d the husband or father of this lady. At fourteen inches deep, the mould being mix’d with chalk, we came to the intire skeleton of a man. The skull and all the bones exceedingly rotten and perish’d, thro’ length of time. Tho’ this was a barrow of the latest sort, as we conjecture. The body lay north and south, the head to the north, as that Lord _Pembroke_ open’d.

Next, I went westward, to a group of barrows whence _Stonehenge_ bears east north-east. Here is a large barrow ditch’d about, but of an ancient make. On that side next _Stonehenge_ are ten lesser, small, and as it were crouded together. South of the great one is another barrow, larger than those of the group, but not equalling the first. It would seem, that a man and his wife were bury’d in the two larger, and that the rest were of their children or dependants. One of the small ones, 20 cubits in diameter, I cut thro’, with a pit nine foot in diameter, to the surface of the natural chalk, in the center of the barrow; where was a little hole cut. A child’s body (as it seems) had been burnt here, and cover’d up in that hole: but thro’ the length of time consum’d. From three foot deep, we found much wood ashes soft and black as ink, some little bits of an urn, and black and red earth very rotten. Some small lumps of earth red as vermilion: some flints burnt thro’. Toward the bottom a great quantity of ashes and burnt bones. From this place I could count 128 barrows in sight. See a vast multiplicity of ’em, TAB. XXXI.

Going from hence more southerly, there is a circular dish-like cavity dug in the chalk, 60 cubits in diameter, like a barrow revers’d. ’Tis near a great barrow, the least of the south-western group. ’Tis between it, and what I call the bushbarrow, set with thorn-trees, TAB. XXXII. This cavity is seven feet deep in the middle, extremely well turn’d, and out of it, no doubt, the adjacent barrow is dug. The use of it seems to have been a place for sacrificing and feasting in memory of the dead, as was the ancient custom. ’Tis all overgrown with that pretty shrub _erica vulgaris_, now in flower, and smelling like honey. We made a large cross section in its center upon the cardinal points; we found nothing but a bit of red earthen pot.

We dug up one of those I call Druid’s barrows, a small tump inclos’d in a large circular ditch. I chose that next to bushbarrow, westward of it. _Stonehenge_ bears hence north-east. We made a cross section ten foot each way, three foot broad over its center, upon the cardinal points. At length we found a squarish hole cut into the solid chalk, in the center of the _tumulus_. It was three foot and a half, _i. e._ two cubits long, and near two foot broad, _i. e._ one cubit: pointing to _Stonehenge_ directly. It was a cubit and half deep from the surface. This was the _domus exilis Plutonia_ cover’d with artificial earth, not above a foot thick from the surface. In this little grave we found all the burnt bones of a man, but no signs of an urn. The bank of the circular ditch is on the outside, and is 12 cubits broad. The ditch is 6 cubits broad (the Druid’s staff) the area is 70 cubits in diameter. The whole 100.

I open’d another of these of like dimensions, next to that Lord _Pembroke_ first open’d, south of _Stonehenge_. We found a burnt body in a hole in the chalk, as before. Mr. _Roger Gale_ was with me.

In some other barrows I open’d, were found large burnt bones of horses and dogs, along with human. Also of other animals as seem’d; of fowl, hares, boars, deer, goats, or the like. And in a great and very flat old fashion’d barrow, west from _Stonehenge_, among such matters, I found bits of red and blue marble, chippings of the stones of the temple. So that probably the interr’d was one of the builders. _Homer_ tells us of _Achilles_ slaying horses and dogs, at the funeral of his friend _Patroclus_.

Lord _Pembroke_ told me of a brass sword dug up in a barrow here, which was sent to _Oxford_. In that very old barrow near little _Ambersbury_, was found a very large brass weapon of 20 pounds weight, like a pole-ax. Said to be given to col. _Wyndham_. In the great long barrow farthest north from _Stonehenge_, which I call north long barrow, and supposed to be an Archdruid’s, was found one of those brass instruments call’d _celts_, which I hold to belong to the Druids, wherewith they cut off the misletoe, as before mention’d. Mr. _Stallard_ of _Ambersbury_ gave it to Lord _Burlington_, now in Sir _Hans Sloane_’s cabinet: 13 inches long. They dug a cell in a barrow east of _Ambersbury_, and it was inhabited for some time. There they found all the bones of a horse. This is the sum of what is most material, that fell within my observation, relating to the barrows about _Stonehenge_. We find evidently, these ancient nations had the custom of burning their dead bodies, probably before the name of _Rome_. So lachrymatories we read of in scripture, ancienter than _Greek_ or _Roman_ times, _Psalm_ lvi. 8.

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TAB. XXXI. the barrows in _Lake-field_. This is as a church-yard, the burial-place of some town, or large family. I mention’d before, that the ditches observable here, are bounds of parishes, hundreds or lordships. The countrymen sometime call this group, the prophets barrows. Because the _French_ prophets 30 years ago, set up a standard on the largest barrow, and preach’d to the enthusiastic multitude.

TAB. XXXIII. bush-barrow, a barrow planted by the shepherds. ’Tis south of _Stonehenge_, and commands a pleasant prospect of the temple, the _cursus_, the avenue, and of all the barrows around this plain. You see the hills a little on this side _Abury_, whereon runs the _Wansdike_, the boundary of the _Belgic_ kingdom.

TAB. XXXIV. the _tumulus_ of _Carvilius_ who fought _Julius Cæsar_. ’Tis on the other side of _Wilton_ (_Carvilium_) by Lord _Pembroke_’s park: and planted with four trees, as one of the visto’s to the park.

TAB. XXXV. one of the temples at _Persepolis_ a patriarchal one, open: but made after _Solomon_’s temple, square: with mouldings and ornaments. I take it to be of the same age as _Stonehenge_.

CHAP. XI.

_Of the original name of_ Stonehenge, _and a conjecture of the general time of building such kind of works. Of_ Wansdike, _by whom made and when. Of_ Vespasian’s _camp_. Stonehenge _was call’d the_ Ambers, _or_ Main Ambres: _which mean the anointed stones,_ i. e. _the consecrated, the sacred stones. The meaning of the word_ Ambrosia. _The_ Tyrian Hercules _brought the_ Druids _hither, with_ Abraham’s_ religion._ Apher _a grandson of_ Abraham’s, _his companion._

I have inform’d the reader, to the best of my skill, what was, and what is the state of _Stonehenge_, both above, and below ground. I apprehend, it will be expected, that I should say somewhat, concerning the antiquity and time of erecting these works, especially of _Stonehenge_. But what can we say, of a matter so very remote? where the oldest memoirs and reports of the oldest nation inhabiting the island, can give us no satisfaction about it: but are as far to seek, as to the founders of this wonderful work, as we are, at this time, and are forced to apply to magic: in order to account for it. Notwithstanding, I shall endeavour to satisfy the readers curiosity, in this point, as well as I can; by giving him my own opinion about it. Not doubting of his candour, in so arduous an attempt: which may perhaps be an amusement to him, whether it gains his belief, or not. Therefore, I shall recite, in short, what occurs to me, on this subject. 1. As to the antiquity of these temples in general. 2. Of the time of founding _Stonehenge_.

The former will anticipate, in some sort, what I promis’d, in treating of the temples of the Druids in general. But I am naturally led to it, here, by observing, that the name of the adjacent town of _Ambersbury_, points out a relation to the work of _Stonehenge_, and to the ancient name of it. For as we took notice at first, the present name of _Stonehenge_, is purely _Saxon_, given by our latest ancestors, by a people wholly strangers to the purport of the thing, that had no notion, no report of its having once been a sacred place; and signifies no more than hanging-stones, or a stone-gallows. The ancient _Britons_ call’d it _choir-gaur_, which the _Monks_ latiniz’d into _chorea gigantum_, the giants dance; a name suited to the marvelous notion they had of the structure, or of the reports of magic, concern’d in raising it. But I had rather chuse to think _choir gaur_ in _Welsh_, truly means, the great church; the cathedral, in our way of speaking. A general title, which the _Welsh_ inhabitants, the remnants of the _Belgæ_, conquer’d by the _Romans_, gave it; as well knowing the true use of it, and even frequenting it in a religious way. Tho’ they had driven off the first possessors of it, and the builders: I mean in _Divitiacus_ his time, or sooner, before the _Roman_ invasion.

There is a very plain reason: that _Stonehenge_ was built, before the _Wansdike_ was made, and _that_ was the last boundary of the _Belgic_ kingdom in _Britain_. The stones of which _Stonehenge_ is compos’d, were fetcht from beyond that boundary, consequently _then_ an enemies country. It seems not improbable, that the _Wansdike_ was made, when this _Belgic_ kingdom was at its height, and that time we may well guess at, from _Cæsar_. He tells us in _Bell. Gall. Lib._ II. 4. “the _Belgæ_ are of _German_ original. By force of arms, they possess’d themselves of the countries, south of the _Rhine_ and towards the ocean, driving out the _Gauls_. They were a very warlike nation, and could produce 100000 men in arms. That one of their kings _Divitiacus_, in the memory of some then living, obtain’d the government, both of great part of _Gaul_ and in _Britain_ too.” I believe the _Belgæ_ and _Sicambri_, all one people of _German_ original. Our _Welsh_ call themselves _Cymri_, and from them _Cumberland_ has its name. It is very just to think this _Wansdike_ was made in the time of _Divitiacus_, both because of the greatness of the work, suiting so potent a prince, and because it is the last boundary: after that time, the _Roman_ power swallowing up all divisions.

I judge, we may reasonably place the time of making the _Wansdike_, about 50 years before _Cæsar_ wrote, we may say AUC. 650. _Divitiacus_ probably ordered it to be made in person. And it seems to have been drawn from the upper end of the _Tees_ river, about _Whit-church_, and _Andover_, in _Hampshire_: to the _Avon_ river, about _Bristol_. These two rivers and the _Wansdike_ separated the _Belgic_ kingdom from the old _Celtic Britons_. They by this means, were driven from this beautiful country, and from their stately temple of _Stonehenge_, by these powerful invaders. It is remarkable enough, that the inhabitants of _Somersetshire_, the ancient seat of the _Belgæ_, retain still the _Belgic_, liquidating pronunciation, _v_ consonant for _f_, _z_ for _s_.

The _Devizes_ is a town in the middle of the length of _Wansdike_, very probably erected, among others, to secure this ditch or fortification. It seems to have been the capital fort or frontier town, and to have its name from the king, as a trophy or monument of his power: built by him in person. _Anonymus Ravennas_ may possibly call it _Punctuobice_, but we have no certainty, that his copy retains the word uncorrupt, or that he transcribed it right: nor what alteration the _Romans_ made in the original word, nor what was made in the later and barbarous times. However there seems enough therein, as well as in the present name of the town, to countenance our conjecture. The former part of the word _punctuo_, which Mr. _Baxter_ thinks monstrous, may come, perhaps, from the _German_ word _pooghen_, which signifies an arduous work, and might regard the castle here, which is said to have been once, the strongest in _Europe_. _Neubringensis_ calls it _Divisæ_. They tell us legendary stories of its being built by an old _British_ king.

_Divisus_ was probably the name of this _Belgic_ Monarch, or _Duiguis_: as _Gluiguis_ king of _Demetia_ in _Wales_ is wrote _Glivisus_ in _Toland_, p. 186. and the termination may have been form’d into _Latin_, from the _Celtic_ word _taeog_ _dux_. Whence, perhaps, the _Etruscan Tages_, so much boasted of in their antiquities; likewise the modern _Doge_ of _Venice_. So that _Divitiacus_ may well be _Divisus dux_. The name of the _Wansdike_, I shewed to be purely _Celtic_, p. 4.

It is an ancient oriental custom to make these boundary ditches. Thus the land belonging to the several tribes of _Israel_ was marked out by a ditch, as we read in the accounts of the holy land. Particularly the author of _le voyage de la terre sainte_, printed 1675. _Paris_, p. 57. says, “he travell’d five or six miles along such a ditch going from _Joppa_ to _Jerusalem_, which parted the tribes of _Benjamin_ and _Judah_.” ’Tis recited _Joshua_ xv.

The monkish writers make much ado about _Aurelius Ambrosius_, a christian king of the _Britons_ (in the time of our great ancestor _Hengist_) building _Stonehenge_, by the help of _Merlin Ambrosius_ the magician, in memory of the _British_ nobility slain treacherously by _Hengist_, at _Ambresbury_. Some say the fact was committed _ad pagum Ambri_, others call it _cœnobium Ambrij_, others _ad montem Ambrij_. One while they refer the name to _Ambrosius_, another time to an Abbot _Ambrius_, and this was among our _Roman British_ ancestors, who were christians. They add too, that _Merlin_ fetch’d these stones out of _Ireland_, that they had been brought before, out of _Africa_ into _Ireland_: that he set them up here in the same form, by art magic; and that the stones were of a medicinal Virtue. These matters we read in _Girald. Cambrens._ de admirand. Hib. c. 18. _Higden_’s Polychron. v. _Geoff. Monmouth_ VIII. _Matt. Westminster_, &c.

This calls to my memory, what the above-mention’d Dr. _Harwood_ inform’d me, he had heard the great Sir _Christopher Wren_ say, that there were such structures as _Stonehenge_, in _Africa_, being temples dedicate to _Saturn_. But I need not be tedious in observing, how absurd the _Monkish_ reports are; of a christian king erecting _Stonehenge_, as a sepulchral monument for the _British_ nobility, massacred in the monastery of _Ambresbury_. At the same time they say, their bodies were buried in the church-yard of the monastery. Nor how they confound the names of _Ambrosius_ the king, _Ambrius_ the abbot, the town, abby and mountain of _Ambry_, and perhaps of _Merlin_ too, for one of them was call’d _Ambrosius_. But their affirming, the edifice came out of _Africa_ into _Spain_, thence into _Ireland_, thence into _Britain_, and of its being erected here in the same form, by art magic; and that the stones are of a medicinal virtue: these notions lead us to the original truth, of the Druid founders, and that _Stonehenge_ had originally, the name of _Ambres_, and from it the adjacent town of _Ambresbury_ had its name.

To pursue this matter a little further. Between _Stonehenge_ and the town, hanging over the river, upon elevated ground is a fine and ancient camp, commonly call’d _Vespasian_’s, and not without much probability, attributed to him. We have often had occasion to mention it before. That great man, destin’d by providence for executing his final vengeance, on the people of the _Jews_, and thereby accomplishing our Saviour’s predictions; by his successes in this place, pav’d a road to the imperial dignity. Having conquer’d the isle of _Wight_, he pursued his good fortune, higher up into this country, where he made this camp, and another across the heath, call’d _Yanesbury_; which seems to retain the latter part of his name. The camp we are speaking of near _Ambresbury_, is an oblong square, nicely placed upon a flexure of the river, which closes one side and one end of it. There is an old barrow inclos’d in it, which, doubtless was one of those belonging to this plain, and to the temple of _Stonehenge_, before this camp was made. It is pretty to observe, that the road from _Stonehenge_ to _Ambresbury_, runs upon the true _via prætoria_ of the camp. The Generals tent or _prætorium_ was in that part south of the road, between it and the river, toward little _Ambresbury_. There is another gate of the camp, at the lower end, northward, the _porta prætoria ordinaria_, in the _Roman_ language. Now I apprehend, that _Stonehenge_ was originally call’d the _Ambres_, from thence this camp was call’d _Ambresburgh_, and thence the name of the town underneath.

Mr. _Camden_ writes, “that near _Pensans_ in _Cornwall_, is a very remarkable stone, call’d _main Ambre_, which tho’ it be of a vast bigness, yet you may move it with one finger: notwithstanding a great number of men cannot remove it from its place. The name is interpreted the stone of _Ambrosius_.” A picture of it in _Norden_’s history of _Cornwall_, p. 48. I have seen one of these rocking stones, as call’d commonly, in _Derbyshire_. Mr. _Toland_ in his history of the Druids, mentions it too, and says there are such in _Wales_ and in _Ireland_. Sir _Robert Sibbald_ mentions them in _Scotland_, all rightly judg’d to have been done by the Druids. Sir _Robert_ speaking of the rocking stone near _Balvaird_ (or the _Bards_ town) in _Fife_: “I am inform’d (says he) that this stone was broken by the usurper _Cromwell_’s soldiers. And it was discover’d then, that its motion was perform’d, by a yolk extuberant in the middle of the under surface of the uppermost stone, which was inserted in a cavity, in the surface of the lower stone.” This is the artifice of the stones at _Stonehenge_, but applied here by the Druids for a moveable principle, as there, for stability. I call them mortaise and tenon: and before observ’d them to be of an egg-like form; which Sir _Robert_ calls a yolk. The _Main Amber_ in _Cornwall_ was likewise destroy’d in the civil wars, by one of _Oliver_’s governors. These reformers had a notion of these works being superstitious matters. _Main Ambre_ is _lapis Ambrosius_, or _petra Ambrosia_. And that name leads us to consider the famous _petræ Ambrosiæ_, on the coins of the city of _Tyre_. A specimen of them, I have drawn on the _Plate_ following.

These, and many more of the like sort, struck by the city of _Tyre_, in honour of their founder _Hercules_, may be seen in _Vaillant_’s second Volume of colony coins, _pag._ 69, 148, 218, 251, 337.