West Kennet Long Barrow — Ancillary Ditch Segment
West Kennet Ditch
Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age (3000–1800 BCE)·Late Neolithic Atlantic·🇬🇧 England, Wiltshire, Avebury, United Kingdom
About
About West Kennet Long Barrow — Ancillary Ditch Segment
West Kennet Long Barrow — Ancillary Ditch Segment in England, Wiltshire, Avebury, United Kingdom is a Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age (3000–1800 BCE) megalithic attributed to Late Neolithic Atlantic. Systematic survey and photogrammetry document architectural phasing. The site includes a principal enclosure and workshop area. Dimensions chamber 4.2 m × 2.8 m; mound 18 m diameter; area 5.4 ha. Excavation partially-excavated; condition submerged. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Late Neolithic Atlantic megalithic with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 160 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing
- 02Construction technique
Theories
- 01Ritual landscape model
- 02Territorial marker
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 3000–2500 BCE
- Period
- Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age (3000–1800 BCE)
- Culture
- Late Neolithic Atlantic
- Purpose
- Ceremonial tomb and territorial marker
- Rediscovered
- 1928
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 3000–2500 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 1030 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
1911
Antiquarian record, modern excavation from 1960s
On the ground
Structures & features
51.4200° N · 1.8500° W · 160 m · 4 mapped features
Principal Chamber
chamberPrincipal Chamber at West Kennet Long Barrow — Ancillary Ditch Segment — chamber with stratified deposits
51.4192° N · 1.8500° WPeripheral Kerb Segment
kerbPeripheral Kerb Segment at West Kennet Long Barrow — Ancillary Ditch Segment — kerb with stratified deposits
51.4191° N · 1.8501° WOutlier Menhir
standing stoneOutlier Menhir at West Kennet Long Barrow — Ancillary Ditch Segment — standing stone with stratified deposits
51.4193° N · 1.8512° WAncillary Cairn
cairnAncillary Cairn at West Kennet Long Barrow — Ancillary Ditch Segment — cairn with stratified deposits
51.4189° N · 1.8495° W