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

Sorry about that. When I went to look at the changed version, I couldn't see any changes at all. I thought you hadn't save them, but it must have been me who was getting a cached version of the page. When I look now, it is OK.

I'll have another read through now.

The structure still needs to be sorted out.

There are two sections, one called Long Barrows and Cairns, and the next called Chamber Tombs. But the first line says that a chamber tomb is a cairn, so shouldn't it be described in the section on Long Barrows and Cairns? Or would it be better to have one section on Long Barrows, and another on Cairns?

These sentences need to be re-done, as they introduce the concept of "could not be re-used" before they mention the fact that they are designed to be re-used:

"Built in the early and middle Neolithic era, long barrows were oblong burial mounds which were higher and wider at one end and either contained a chamber or chambers, or were simply earth burial mounds in which case they could not be re-used. Thought to have been communal burial chambers, examples of long barrows have been found in Wiltshire, Sussex and Dorset. Long barrows were designed to be communal tombs used and reused over many generations"

Word use:

It is possible that this form of tomb has developed -->
It is possible that this form of tomb developed

The various types and style of barrow --> The various types and styles of barrow

Oh. I honestly don't know how to rewrite that section - I'm not entirely sure what a chamber tomb is or how it fits in with the cairns and long barrows.

I've done the rest.

Hi Guys please check the re write as requested I have tryed to clear up any unclear areas comments please.


Long Barrows
Built in the early and middle Neolithic era, long barrows were oblong burial mounds which were higher and wider at one end and either contained a chamber or chambers. Thought to have been communal burial chambers, examples of long barrows have been found in Wiltshire, Sussex and Dorset. Long barrows were designed to be communal tombs used and reused over many generations. Some long barrows were simply earth burial mounds in which case they could not be re-opened.
The orientation of the passages to the central chambers poses some questions. Many point in the direction of sunrise on Mid-winter's day, thus suggesting that the tomb was designed to be left open or unsealed. This would provide no protection for any remains or grave goods in the chamber. The reason for this is unclear; however it would explain the lack of remains found in the chambers.

Cairns
The chamber tomb or cairn dates from the late Neolithic period. Unlike a barrow, a cairn consists of a simple pile of rocks laid atop the grave or a chamber and passage constructed in stone. Cairns were thus stone-built, and most had one central chamber along with an entry passage. They were possibly also reusable tombs as they could be re-opened to allow access after the initial burial. It has been concluded that these tombs were for the more important individuals in the society that built them. The question of security for grave goods would seem to imply that nothing of any value was placed with the dead. Another explanation is that they were provided with an array of grave goods and that the fear or respect for the dead ensured that the community left the graves untouched. It is possible that the tombs were then stripped by later generations who had lost much of the respect or beliefs of those who created them, and is in essence a stone passage with an open room or chamber at the end. Again the orientation of the passages suggests a ritual purpose but the reasons remain unclear.

In both long barrows and cairns the passage and chamber are roofed over with stone slabs, and access for the burial rituals was via the passage.
Neither long barrows or cairns are attributable to any particular culture or definable burial practice or religion.



Bob...

That looks a lot better. I don't like the way you tell us that Long Barrows were communal tombs twice in two sentences, but I'm sure Alex can make a minor change to fix that.

Good old Alex if he dose not mind.


Bob...

All done

A17974722 - Introduction

This setence fragment seems to be left over from a previous version, and should be deleted:

"and is in essence a stone passage with an open room or chamber at the end"

This information has already been stated elsewhere.

The following sentence is out of place:

"Again the orientation of the passages suggests a ritual purpose but the reasons remain unclear."

It would be better positioned immediately after "along with an entry passage". If you do decide to put it there, the subsequent sentence "They were ..." should be changed to "Cairns were".

G

Done

Any further comments, anyone?

It's been and gone on the FrontPage now - it would seem the whole thing was all in all a success.

Gnomon - hopefully you're still subscribed here - Bob's posted a thankyou in the place you're least likely to look - F1733544?thread=3863539&post=46290461#p46277529