Wayland's Smithy

Wayland's Smithy is a Neolithic chambered long barrow which was built over an earlier wooden and earthen mortuary structure. It's one of many prehistoric sites associated with Wayland, the Saxon god of metal working.

The long barrow is trapezoidal in plan and it's believed to have been constructed around 3600 BC by pastoral communities. The site is important as it illustrates a transition from a timber-chambered barrow to a stone-chambered tomb.

The barrow was excavated twice and revealed the remains of fourteen skeletons. Analysis of these remains indicated that they had been subjected to excarnation which is the practice of removing the flesh and organs of the dead before burial.

Wayland's Smithy is located near the village of Ashbury in England.





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