Tumulus (destroyed): OS Grid Reference – TQ 163 703
Archaeology & History
This is one of very few prehistoric tombs that are known about from the London region and — surprise, surprise! — very little is left of the place. No surprise really. It appears to have first been explored soon after Queen Victoria came to the throne
“A barrow on the south side of Sandy Lane was excavated in 1854. It revealed some much disturbed burials, some flint tools and part of a bronze dagger.” (Ching & Howe 1980)
There were in fact the remains of three people found here: one at base level; the other just below the top; and the third body comprised remains that appear to have been buried just beneath the surface. The tomb was a big thing aswell — being nearly 100 feet across and more than 10 feet high. Pity there’s little to be seen of it today…
References:
- Ching, Paddy & Howe, Ken, Teddington – As it Was, Hendon: Nelson 1980.
- Gordon, E.O., Prehistoric London – Its Mounds and Circles, Covenant: London 1946.
- Merriman, Nicholas, Prehistoric London, London Museum 1990.
- Spence, Lewis, Legendary London, Hale: London 1937.
© Paul Bennett, The Northern Antiquarian
