Nænia Cornubiæ

Abstract

II.

MR. BORLAS E, assisted by a party of friends, early in 1872, opened two barrows on the summit of one of the most commanding elevations in the district, about a quarter of a mile east of Trevelgue or Trevelga Cliff Castle, near St. Columb Minor. The most westerly is 250 ft. in circumference, 11 ft. high at the centre, and its greatest axis, having an east and west direction, is looft. At a depth of 2 or 3 ft. from the surface, the entire substratum, to the amount of several hundred cart-loads, was burnt earth, as red and almost as fine as brickdust. Beneath it and towards the eastern side was a cairn of stones about 12 ft. in diameter, and 4 ft. high. Many of them had been brought from the neighbouring beach, and were blackened by fire. Under this lay a large spar stone, such as does not occur in the district, singularly flat for a stone of the kind, measuring 10·5 X 5·4 X 17·5 ft., on a level with the surrounding country, and covering a chamber 6·16 ft. long from N.W. to S.E, 2·5 ft. broad, and 2·75 ft. deep. Its sides were formed of four slate stones, 7 or 8 in. thick, and set on edge, on each of which the covering stone rested. The floor seemed to have been paved with slates, but they had been displaced, and portions of an unusually thick human skull were found below them.

Nænia Cornubiæ.

A descriptive essay, illustrative of the Sepulchres and Funereal Customs of the early Inhabitants of Cornwall. By W. Copeland Borlase. (London: Longmans; Truro: Netherton, 1872.)