Blog Archive

Maeshowe: A Neolithic chambered Cairn located in Orkney, Scotland. Known for its impressive stone carvings and alignment with the winter solstice. It is approximately 7 meters (23 feet) in height.

Silbury Hill: The largest artificial prehistoric mound in Europe, located in England. Its purpose remains debated, but it is believed to have had ceremonial significance. It stands approx. 40 meters (131 feet) in height, and is believed to have been constructed between 2470 and 2350 BC. It is part of the Avebury complex

Henge: A circular Earthwork, often with a ditch and bank, used for ceremonial or ritual purposes. Henges are associated with Neolithic and Bronze Age cultures and are often found in association with burial mounds.

Earthworks: Large-scale earth constructions, often including burial mounds, ceremonial sites, or defensive structures. These works can encompass vast areas and reflect significant cultural investment.

Megalithic Tomb:  A large stone structure, often a chamber covered by a mound, used for burial. These structures are associated with ancient burial practices and often reflect advanced construction techniques.

Plague Mound:  A burial mound created during times of epidemic, such as the Black Death, often containing mass graves of victims. These mounds serve as grim reminders of historical pandemics.

Cairn: A Pile of stones, often used as a grave marker or memorial. Can range in size from small heaps to large, monumental structures.

D-shaped Barrow: A type of tumulus with a distinctive D-shape, often featuring a flat or straight edge. The significance of the shape is still debated among archaeologists.

Steppe Kurgans (Eurasian Tumuli): These are large, often monumental burial mounds found across the Eurasian steppe. They date from the Bronze Age to the early medieval periods, and are understood to be elite burials of nomadic tribes (e.g. Scythians, Sarmatians) with rich artifacts and horse burials. They can be found in Eastern Europe, especially Ukraine, southern …

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Ring Barrows: These consist of a ring-shaped bank and ditch, with little or no central mound. They date from the late Bronze Age into the Iron Age and may have had ceremonial or symbolic functions, possibly as cenotaphs. They are found in Ireland, Britain, and northern France.