The Lexden Tumulus
The cache is situated by the front gardens of 36 and 30, Fitzwalter Road, Lexden which is a suburb of Colchester. I had no trouble finding it or parking, but the setting of the tumulus among neat villas and tidy lawns is bizarre. The mound has a huge circumference and although not very high , must still challenge the lawn mower. The Tumulus can be accessed via a flat path, but please note it is on Private Property but you can still see it easily from the path, DO NOT TRY TO ACCESS IT.
What is a Tumulus:
A tumulus is a mound of earth and stones raised over a grave or graves. Tumuli are also known as barrows, burial mounds, or kurgans. When composed largely or entirely of stones they are usually referred to as cairns. The phenomenon appears early in human history, during the Neolithic era, and although used almost universally tumuli differ in size, structure, and usage with each culture.
In one aspect, the tumulus is a simple way to bury the dead and honor them with a memorial, for it requires little sophistication or technology. On the other hand, though, the size of many of these mounds is impressive by today's standards, and far more so considering the lack of technology available in ancient times. Their appearance throughout the world in unrelated cultures indicates a universal appreciation for the dead members of their society, and a desire to mark their life permanently in the physical world.
This Tumulus:
The Lexden Tumulus, now part of a private residence in Lexden, was excavated in 1924 and dates to about 17BC. It possibly dates from the Bronze Age with a later Iron Age burial although this is not fully confirmed.
It is thought that Addedomarus, chief of the Trinovantes tribe, may be buried there, which would support the evidence of a principal grave dating to before 10AD. Later burials suggest that one could be that of Cunobelinus the Catuvellauni Chieftain from 10AD to 42AD.
He captured Camulodunum, the capital of the Trinovantes tribe, and continued to rule south east England until defeated by the Romans. The tumulus or barrow would have been nine feet high (now a different height) and 100 ft in diameter, surrounded by a ditch nearly 3 ft deep.
The main excavated grave was near the centre at a depth of 7ft below the old ground level and, although it had been disturbed, it still contained burial goods. The finds, which could be dated between 17BC and 43AD, included metalwork from a funerary carriage with a linch pin, traces of gold, silver studs, enamelled discs and two bronze studs with red glass inlay. It also contained iron swords and the Lexden Medallion, dated to 17BC, a coin depicting the Roman Emperor Augustus and mounted as a portrait medallion. This is now in a Colchester Museum and is thought to have been a gift from the Emperor to win over one of the tribal kings.
The grave goods also included Belgic pottery, amphorae, chain mail and a small statue of Cupid together with sculptured bronzes of a griffin, bull and boar, the origins of which confirm that there was already trade with Europe years before the invasion by Claudius in AD 43.