For those who may not know, the terms ‘cairns’ and ‘tumuli’ are just prehistoric tombs. Another word we find as we move further north into Scotland is ‘cist’, which has a similar affiliation – though a cist is more accurately a stone-lined coffin, over which cairns tend to be built. A cairn is a pile of loose rocks and stones, which tends to be erected over a single or multiple burial or cremation – though without excavation we can never be sure which one it’s gonna be! Chambered cairns are well-designed cairns with lengthy entrances or internal ‘rooms.’ A tumulus meanwhile (‘tumuli’ is the plural) is a heap of earth piled up over a burial or cremation. Small cairns and tumuli tend to cover single graves; whilst larger ones can have multiple burials therein. However we sometimes find that huge tombs have only one or two burials/cremations inside. In such cases it is probable that the people entombed there were of considerable importance: perhaps a tribal chief, a king, a queen, or powerful shaman. In many places across Brigantia and Scotland, where there’s a profusion of cairns/tumuli we tend to find good examples of prehistoric rock art, or cup-and-ring stones.
BARROWS, CAIRNS, TUMULI: Bibliography & References
- Achnacree, Achnacreebeag, Argyll
- Acrehowe Hill, Baildon Moor, West Yorkshire
- Addlebrough, Bainbridge, North Yorkshire
- Aird Thorr Innse, Gigha, Argyll
- Angel Moon Field, Ferrybridge, West Yorkshire
- Apronful of Stones, Wigtwizzle, Bradfield, South Yorkshire
- Apronful of Stones, Settle, North Yorkshire
- Ardilistry, Islay, Argyll
- Ardlamey, Gigha, Argyll
- Ardminish, Gigha, Argyll
- Armshaw Lowe, Oxenhope, West Yorkshire
- Ashleigh Barrow, Darwen, Lancashire
- Askwith Moor Cairnfield, North Yorkshire
- Balloch, Alyth, Perthshire
- Badbury Barrow, Shapwick, Dorset
- Badger Wells Cairn, Pendle Hill, Lancashire
- Baildon Moor Circle, West Yorkshire
- Barnhill, Jura, Argyll
- Baron’s Cairn, Black Crofts, Argyll
- Barr a’ Chuirn, Slockavullin, Kilmartin, Argyll
- Barrow Field, Bushy Park, Teddington, Middlesex
- Battle Hill Dolmen, Huntly, Aberdeenshire
- Beacon Hill, Barkisland, West Yorkshire
- Bedd y Cawr, Llanymynech, Montgomeryshire
- Beinn na Caillich, Broadford, Skye
- Birkhill House, Cambusbarron, Stirlingshire
- Birkhill Sandpit, Cambusbarron, Stirlingshire
- Blackheath Circle, Todmorden, West Yorkshire
- Black Hill Long Cairn, Low Bradley Moor, North Yorkshire
- Black Hill Round Cairn, Low Bradley Moor, North Yorkshire
- Black Hill Tumulus, Middleton Moor – see Round Hill, Middleton Moor
- Bleara Lowe, Earby, Lancashire
- Bleara Moor Cairnfield, Earby, Lancashire
- Bleara Moor Tumulus, Earby, Lancashire
- Brink Ends, Dovestones Moor, Trawden, Lancashire
- Boatbridge Quarry, Thankerton, Lanarkshire
- Bown Hill Long Barrow, Woodchester, Gloucestershire
- Bown Hill Tumulus, Woodchester, Gloucestershire
- Briggate, Leeds, West Yorkshire
- Brotton Howe, Brotton, Cleveland, North Yorkshire
- Brown Hill, Saddleworth, Lancashire
- Brown Howes, Ebberston Low Moor, North Yorkshire
- Bryn Celli Ddu, Llandaniel Fab, Anglesey
- Bul Barrow, Woolland, Dorset
- Burwains Lake, Foulridge, Lancashire
- Cairn 1, Stanbury Hill, Bingley Moor, West Yorkshire
- Cairn 2, Stanbury Hill, Bingley Moor, West Yorkshire
- Cairn 3, Stanbury Hill, Bingley Moor, West Yorkshire
- Cairn 4, Stanbury Hill, Bingley Moor, West Yorkshire
- Cairn 5, Stanbury Hill, Bingley Moor, West Yorkshire
- Cairn 6, Stanbury Hill, Bingley Moor, West Yorkshire
- Cairnbane, Portnacroish, Argyll
- Carlowrie, Kirkliston, Midlothian
- Carmyllie Hill, Greystone, Angus
- Carn Ban, Kilmartin, Argyll
- Castle Carr, Luddenden Dean, West Yorkshire
- Castle Farm Circles, Barcaldine, Argyll
- Castle Law, Blairlogie, Stirlingshire
- Catfoss Cemetery, Hornsea, East Yorkshire
- Catlow Quarry, Nelson, Lancashire
- Cicely Low, Houndkirk Moor, South Yorkshire
- Cladh Chlainn Iain, Jura, Argyll
- Cliviger Laithe, Worsthorne, Burnley, Lancashire
- Cliviger Law, Mereclough, Burnley, Lancashire
- Cnoc a’ Chuirn Mhoir, Jura, Argyll
- Cnoc na Croise, Ardminish, Argyll
- Cock Hill, Wadsworth Moor, West Yorkshire
- Coldstone Beck Cairn (01), Burley Moor, West Yorkshire
- Coldstone Beck Cairn (02), Burley Moor, West Yorkshire
- Coldstone Beck Cairn (03), Burley Moor, West Yorkshire
- Coneypark Nursery, Cambusbarron, Stirlingshire
- Cray, Hubberholme, Buckden, North Yorkshire
- Croes-llechau, Bronllys, Breconshire
- Crow Hill Cairn Circle, Midgley Moor, West Yorkshire
- Culliford Tree Barrow, Whitcombe, Dorset
- Danes Hills, Riccall, North Yorkshire
- Danes Hills, Skipwith, North Yorkshire
- Delf Hill, Extwistle, Burnley, Lancashire
- Devil’s Apronful, Appletreewick, North Yorkshire
- Devil’s Apronful, Pendle Hill, Lancashire
- Devil’s Den, Clatford, Wiltshire
- Dobrudden Necropolis, Baildon Moor, West Yorkshire
- Douglas Terrace, Cambusbarron, Stirlingshire
- Druimyeonbeg, Gigha, Argyll
- Duel Cross Hill, Grafton, North Yorkshire
- Dunblane Cathedral, Stirlingshire
- Elf Howe, Folkton, East Yorkshire
- Elf Howe, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire
- Elphillock, Kildrummy, Aberdeenshire
- Fairmilehead, Colinton, Edinburgh, Midlothian
- Fairy Knowe, Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire
- Fairy Knowe, Crarae, Minard, Argyll
- Feizor Thwaite, Lawkland, North Yorkshire
- Foel Fawr, Llanfechell, Anglesey
- Ford, Kilmartin, Argyll
- Frensham Common, Frensham, Surrey
- Gariob Cottage, Achnamara, Knapdale, Argyll
- Giant’s Grave, Reelig, Kirkhill, Inverness-shire
- Giants’ Graves, Halton Gill, North Yorkshire
- Glencreggan, Glenbarr, Kintyre, Argyll
- Glenrickard, Brodick, Arran, Argyll
- Graffa Plain, Brimham Rocks, Hartwith, North Yorkshire
- Great Skirtful of Stones, Burley Moor, West Yorkshire
- Great Skirtful Ring, Burley Moor, West Yorkshire
- Green Crag Top Cairns, Ilkley Moor, West Yorkshire
- Green Howe, North Deighton, North Yorkshire
- Grubstones Circle, Burley Moor - see Roms Law, Burley Moor, West Yorkshire
- Hades Hill, Whitworth, Lancashire
- Hagg Woods, Thongsbridge, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire
- Harden Moor Cairnfield, Bingley, West Yorkshire
- Harden Moor Circle, Bingley, West Yorkshire
- Hare Hill, Elslack, North Yorkshire
- Harlaw, Fairnington, Roxburghshire
- Hatfield Barrow, Marden, Wiltshire
- Haulgh, Bolton, Lancashire
- Hazell Circle, Ilkley Moor, West Yorkshire (NEW FIND)
- Heights Farm, Quernmore, Lancashire
- Heligar Pike, Denton Moor, North Yorkshire
- Heyshaw Moor (north), Dacre, North Yorkshire
- High Close Cairn, Grassington, North Yorkshire
- High Low Ridge, Askwith Moor, North Yorkshire
- High Marchup, Silsden, West Yorkshire
- High Woof Howe, Langdale Forest, North Yorkshire
- High Street Barrow, Towthorpe, East Yorkshire
- Higher Town Bay, St. Martin’s, Scilly Isles
- Ilkley Gate, Ilkley Moor – Cairn Circles (NEW FIND)
- Intake Lodge, Yearsley, North Yorkshire
- Invercharnan, Glen Etive, Argyll
- Jack Straw’s Castle, Kilmington, Wiltshire
- Jeppe Knave Grave, Wiswell, Lancashire
- Keighley Train Station, West Yorkshire
- Kemp Howe, Sledmere, East Yorkshire
- Kerrycrusach, Bute, Argyll
- Kippenross House, Dunblane, Stirlingshire
- Kit’s Coty House, Aylesford, Kent
- Lanshaw Cairn 01, Burley Moor, West Yorkshire
- Lanshaw Cairn 02, Burley Moor, West Yorkshire
- Lanshaw Cairn 03, Burley Moor, West Yorkshire
- Larkfield, Maidstone, Kent
- Lea Green, Grassington, North Yorkshire
- Leaf Howe, Stape, North Yorkshire
- Leathad Carnaich, Dalhalvaig, Caithness
- Lexden, Colchester, Essex
- Lippersley Pike, Denton Moor, North Yorkshire
- Little Skirtful of Stones, Burley Moor, West Yorkshire
- Lower Apronful of Stones, Pendle Hill, Lancashire
- Lower Higham Farm, Hyde, Lancashire
- Low Woof Howe, Langdale Forest, North Yorkshire
- Lyneham Barrow, Ascott-under-Wychwood, Oxfordshire
- Manton Down, Rockley, Marlborough, Wiltshire
- Marriotts Barrows, Hyde, Lancashire
- Merlin’s Grave, Drumelzier, Peeblesshire
- Merlin’s Mount, Marlborough, Wiltshire
- Millbarrow, Winterbourne Monkton, Wiltshire
- Miller’s Grave, Midgley Moor, West Yorkshire
- Mill Hill, Eastburn, Driffield, East Yorkshire
- Mini-Skirtful of Stones, Ilkley Moor, West Yorkshire
- Minning Low, Aldwark, Derbyshire
- Moor Hey, Weeton, Lancashire
- Mount Pleasant, Normanby, North Yorkshire
- Mount Skip, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire
- Mount Zion, Illingworth, Halifax, West Yorkshire
- Mutlow Hill, Great Wilbraham, Cambridgeshire
- Nanny Howe, Coate Moor, Kildale, North Yorkshire
- Nanny’s Grave, Steeton, West Yorkshire
- Nixon’s Station, Ilkley Moor, West Yorkshire
- North Hill, Samson, Scilly Isles, Cornwall
- Oliver Cromwell’s Hill, Eye, Cambridgeshire
- Overton Down Tomb, West Overton, Wiltshire
- Parsons Lane, Silsden, West Yorkshire - see High Marchup
- Pendreich 1, Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire
- Pendreich 2, Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire
- Pendreich 3, Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire
- Pennythorn Hill, Baildon Moor, West Yorkshire
- Pike Lowe, Extwistle, Burnley, Lancashire
- Pleasington Cemetery, Blackburn, Lancashire
- Pool Farm, Priddy, Somerset
- Port na Cleire, Gigha, Argyll
- Pudding Pie Hill, Thirsk, North Yorkshire
- Pule Hill, Marsden, West Yorkshire
- Quernhow, Ainderby Quernhow, North Yorkshire
- Reddicar Clough, Hallam Moor, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
- Ringstone Edge, Barkisland, West Yorkshire
- Roms Law, Burley Moor, West Yorkshire
- Round Hill, Middleton Moor, North Yorkshire
- Round Hill Field, Ferrybridge, West Yorkshire
- Rye Loaf Hill, Settle, North Yorkshire
- Scale House, Rylstone, North Yorkshire
- Seaty Hill, Malham Moor, North Yorkshire
- Serpent Mound, Scallasaig, Glen More, Inverness-shire
- Shaw Hill, Skirtcoat, Halifax, West Yorkshire
- Sheep Scar Cairn, Giggleswick, North Yorkshire
- Sheep Scar Cairn Circle, Giggleswick, North Yorkshire
- Silver Hill, Stanbury, West Yorkshire
- Sithean Mor, Shian, Iona, Argyll
- Skirtful of Stones, Horton-in-Ribblesdale, North Yorkshire
- Slade Cairnfield, Blubberhouses Moor, North Yorkshire
- Snowden Crags Circle, Askwith Moor, North Yorkshire
- Snowden Crags Necropolis, Timble, North Yorkshire
- South Wonston, Hampshire
- Spell Howe, Folkton, East Yorkshire
- Staple Howe, Kirklington, North Yorkshire
- Stapley Hill, Kirklington – see Staple Howe, Kirklington North Yorkshire
- Stone Man, Kirkby Ravensworth, North Yorkshire
- Stoney Raise, Addlebrough, Thornton Rust, North Yorkshire
- Stoodley Pike Circle, Mankinholes, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire
- Swinkly Knoll, Egglesburn, Durham
- Tarbert, Argyll
- Thieveley, Holme Chapel, Burnley, Lancashire
- Tomb Stone, Stanbury Hill, Bingley Moor, West Yorkshire
- Torrisholme Barrow, Morecambe, Lancashire
- Tower Hill, Warley, Halifax, West Yorkshire
- Town Lane, St. Mary’s, Scilly Isles, Cornwall
- Two Lads, Withens Moor, Cragg Vale, West Yorkshire
- Upper Killay, Killay, Swansea, Glamorgan, Wales
- West Lodge, Touch, Cambusbarron, Stirlingshire
- Whispering Knights, Rollright, Oxfordshire
- Wicking Crag, Bingley Moor, West Yorkshire (NEW FIND)
- Woofa Bank Cairn, Burley Moor, West Yorkshire (NEW FIND)
- Wytchley Warren, Edith Weston, Rutland
© Paul Bennett, The Northern Antiquarian
