Origins
6th to 8th Centuries
The barrows were first constructed, with coffin inhumations suggesting pagan rather than Christian burials. They were possibly associated with the Saxon Royal riverside hunting estate at Greenwich.
0500First excavations
c.1714
First note of excavations at the barrows. A Mr Hearne “dug on the spot.” This man is an enigma, described later by antiquarian (an early archaeologist) Rev James Douglas as a ‘park keeper’. However, research by the Friends of Greenwich Park History & Research Group suggested he could be the assistant keeper of the Bodleian Library- one of the oldest libraries in Europe.
1714Antiquarian discoveries
1784
January; the Rev James Douglas explored at least 20 barrows. He described eight burials in detail, in his published work Nenia Britannica, and noted items including an iron spearhead, knife, shield boss, woollen textiles and glass beads.
1784Desire line
1830s
Greenwich Park opened to the public. The Barrows could be visited for the first time. We think a path bisecting the ancient site, running from Crooms Hill to the Royal Observatory – known as a desire line – was turned into a formal route by the Victorians: first as gravel and then as tarmac in the twentieth century.
1830Public outcry
1844
Victorian scandal! Several of the mounds were flattened by construction works for a new reservoir in the park. Following a public outcry, the matter was brought to the House of Commons. Work was halted and the reservoir was moved to the south. An early example of a public campaign to protect archaeology.
1844Queens House
1860s
Archaeological work in the vicinity of the Queen’s House revealed several more burials and grave finds including a hanging bowl.
1860Published history
1902
Park superintendent A.D. Webster wrote about the mounds in his seminal book: Greenwich Park: its history and associations. He noted the presence of 25 barrows. Evidence from 1899 shows the path even had iron railings!
1902Modern survey
1993-4
The Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England conduct the first modern survey of the site, recording 31 barrows. They suggest the original cemetery may have numbered as many as 40 mounds.
1993Restoration
2022
The tarmac path is scheduled to be removed from the barrow site.
2022