DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4377#0172
502 LION TOMB.
nence a third tomb; composed of a square basement,
surmounted by a circular pyramid. The basement
was of limestone, the pyramid of petrified beach.
The masonry was less massive. On the right are
two other basements,—one square, the other cir-
cular. All these monuments present the same
general type.
There can hardly be a doubt that they all con-
tained circular chambers vaulted with horizontal
courses, in the mode which I have already described.
It is probable that all the chambers have been
broken open and rifled.
The manner in which the several tombs are
grouped, seems hardly the result of chance. Their
arrangement would seem to indicate that ad-
vantage has been taken of the principal eminences,
so as to make each tomb command a view of the
one nearest to it.
Thus they may have served as a chain of watch-
towers, and for the communication of signals.
The sites of the ancient tumuli in many parts of
England seem to have been chosen with a similar
view.
nence a third tomb; composed of a square basement,
surmounted by a circular pyramid. The basement
was of limestone, the pyramid of petrified beach.
The masonry was less massive. On the right are
two other basements,—one square, the other cir-
cular. All these monuments present the same
general type.
There can hardly be a doubt that they all con-
tained circular chambers vaulted with horizontal
courses, in the mode which I have already described.
It is probable that all the chambers have been
broken open and rifled.
The manner in which the several tombs are
grouped, seems hardly the result of chance. Their
arrangement would seem to indicate that ad-
vantage has been taken of the principal eminences,
so as to make each tomb command a view of the
one nearest to it.
Thus they may have served as a chain of watch-
towers, and for the communication of signals.
The sites of the ancient tumuli in many parts of
England seem to have been chosen with a similar
view.