At Thornborough may be seen two of the most famous and spectacular Roman ‘barrows’ in England, and of their mystery one past account contemptuously remarked that ‘the Vulgar have several odd Traditions about their being inhabited by Fairies.’ However, the only association with the little people today would seem to be a fairy ring of toadstools, set before the westernmost barrow. In 1839 the politically elevated Duke of Buckingham, from Stowe, made preparations for one of the mounds to be excavated, and accordingly a trench was cut through the centre. Evidence of a cremation then came to be revealed with, preserved to a varying degree, several ornaments of bronze and pottery recovered. In fact from being quite different in style from any previous example, amongst these items was a bronze lamp, of which even the wick remained intact. As for the other recoveries, these included two large and elegant bronze jugs, a large vessel of greenish glass, containing bone and ashes, and an ornament of pure gold, elaborately chased with the figure of Cupid. However, the latter has since disappeared, although there was a suspicion that the British Museum might have acquired ownership. All the finds were dated at the late 2nd century, with many being subsequently sent to the University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology in Downing Street, Cambridge. Since it had been robbed at some previous date, an investigation of the second barrow proved disappointing, but nevertheless both examples are still prominent features of the landscape, and, dating at least from Roman times, are probably indicative of a settlement that developed at this important crossing of the Ouse tributary. In late 1972 and early 1973 an opportunity was then seized to carry out excavations in the region of Bourton Grounds and, especially in the form of pottery, the artefacts recovered would seem to suggest an occupation from the mid first century. All the finds were duly sent to the County Museum at Aylesbury. During the investigations a group of seven cremation burials were also discovered and, with two of these being children, it seemed that none of the persons had progressed above the age of 30. In fact their burial was discovered unusually close to the surface, which seemed to suggest that there had once been a mound heaped up on top. Generally the Thornborough settlement would have probably flourished, being enhanced around 265A.D. by the building of a temple upon a riverside prominence. This had been possibly constructed as a shrine to a local river god, and in the course of the excavations the site revealed over 300 coins. Most dated from the period 333 to 350A.D, although an unsurprising decline in the quantities was apparent towards the early 5th century, at the time of the Roman withdrawal. Undoubtedly the settlement at Thornborough must have had quite an importance, and perhaps in association at Foscott, some two miles to the north west, the remains were discovered of an extensive Roman villa, complete with tessellated pavement, an underfloor heating arrangement and baths, supplied by spring water.