h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

This is beginning to make a bit more sense, but I am still confused.

Since this is a project about barrows, you should definitely define what you mean by a barrow in the very first paragraph of the Introduction.

I take it I was correct that a Chamber Tomb is not a barrow, so I am unclear as to why you have a large section about them at the start of this entry. Surely they are beyond the scope of this project (particularly since you don't seem to know much about them ).

Why do you not have a section on Long Barrows? You mention them, but them seem to dismiss them to a footnote.

Why do you start your timeline with ages which are nothing to do with barrows?

Hi Gnomon
Well they are not barrows but are confused with them size shape and purpose. They are also the last step between chamber tombs and barrows in the strictest sence of the term. they are in effect single gaves and long barrowe are communial or even community burials and as such need a mention.
The detailed description is to explan the differance and to highlight the reason they are not true barrows even though close.
The long barrow is so different I did not treat in such detail yes just a foot note.

Are you suggesting that i at least include a decent mention of long barrows and then a paragraph on why they they differ from the others.

Q
Why do you start your timeline with ages which are nothing to do with barrows?
A
To show a full historical time line.

Your ideas are welcome and I will have a sort out along the the lines you suggest, if we agree as no doubt we will

Happy Christmas

Bob

Hi Gnomon
How is this for a compromise and dose this cover your points.

Though the long barrows1 first appeared some time after 5,000 BC, the construction of proper round barrows began on the British mainland c. 2500 BC with the first major barrow builders, the Neolithic Beaker People2.
Now the term a proper round barrow means a barrow that has the following characteristics.

It was built as a single use tomb (It might have 2 or 3 burials they were not designed to be reopened or re used.) and sealed after the burial.

They are attributable to a culture and a definable burial practice or religion.

Long Barrows and Cairns---------------sub header

Long barrows were communal tombs and were designed to be communal tombs used and reused over many generations.
Cairns as described below had an entry passage and were re useable or could be re opened access gained after the initial burial.
They are not attributable to a culture and a definable burial practice or religion.

The construction of barrows continued into the late Bronze Age with some examples from the Iron Age, with a lull during the Roman period followed by a final flourish during the Viking age. Burial mounds can be found in a variety of forms including cairns and barrows, both of which cover a burial tomb hidden underneath. A barrow is a mound of earth used to cover a tomb, and so the term is often interchangeable with burial mound and tumulus. On the other hand, a cairn consisted of a pile of rocks laid atop the grave or tomb. During their long history, barrows have developed into various forms including:





Regards

Bob...

Hi Bob - any chance you could remove this from the EW as the project is now in PR?

Hi GB
I will do it now.