Seeing Tolkiens World in todays landscapes... - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Anne S · 09-18-2003, 09:57 AM

Thanks for the warm welcome Numenorean! And yes, I expect the barrows suddenly take on a sinister feel on a cold foggy night, maybe I'll try it one night when I'm feeling brave. I too have read that many of the barrows were robbed, although I expect there are some still intact. Some don't look like any type of ancient monument, rather more like a part of the natural landscape so it is very likely that they were overlooked by robbers and were only discovered recently. It is unlikely that the barrows contained anything of great value now except to archeologists and historians. However if they were all brimming with gold and jewels like the one Frodo & Co. nearly copped it in, I'd be out there with a spade doing some digging myself!

Edited to add: I have not been to the Withypool Stone Circle, but have seen lots of places where there are ancient stones used as markers or to signify something of importance. Have you heard of the Inscribed Stone at the top of Porlock Hill? That's got an ancient cross carved on it, supposedly put there when Christianity was in its infancy.

[ September 18, 2003: Message edited by: Anne S ]

09-18-2003, 09:57 AM	#6
Anne S Pile O'Bones Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 19	Thanks for the warm welcome Numenorean! And yes, I expect the barrows suddenly take on a sinister feel on a cold foggy night, maybe I'll try it one night when I'm feeling brave. I too have read that many of the barrows were robbed, although I expect there are some still intact. Some don't look like any type of ancient monument, rather more like a part of the natural landscape so it is very likely that they were overlooked by robbers and were only discovered recently. It is unlikely that the barrows contained anything of great value now except to archeologists and historians. However if they were all brimming with gold and jewels like the one Frodo & Co. nearly copped it in, I'd be out there with a spade doing some digging myself! Edited to add: I have not been to the Withypool Stone Circle, but have seen lots of places where there are ancient stones used as markers or to signify something of importance. Have you heard of the Inscribed Stone at the top of Porlock Hill? That's got an ancient cross carved on it, supposedly put there when Christianity was in its infancy. [ September 18, 2003: Message edited by: Anne S ]