No-one built these for 5,000 years… until now.

Long barrows are Neolithic constructions that might have been churches, or graveyards, or landmarks. And some are being built again: for the first time in recorded history. ■ Soulton Long Barrow: www.soultonhall.co.uk/page/32... ■ Sacred Stones: www.sacredstones.co.uk/our-lo...
Camera: Ryan Priestnall www.ryanpriestnall.com/
Editor: Julian Domanski
🟥 MORE FROM TOM: www.tomscott.com/
(you can find contact details and social links there too)
📰 WEEKLY NEWSLETTER with good stuff from the rest of the internet: www.tomscott.com/newsletter/
❓ LATERAL, free weekly podcast: lateralcast.com/ / lateralcast
➕ TOM SCOTT PLUS: / tomscottplus
👥 THE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES: / techdif

[@TomScottGo]

I'm not sure why I've had so many videos about death lately, but at least I'm covering more than one option.

[@davethefish5]

Very prepared

[@captainloontern501]

monday left me broken😊

[@Quantum-Bullet]

the channel's future

[@AdrianHernandezAE]

Lessgo Tom

[@marlinboudreau983]

I cannot imagine how boring YT will become without your videos, Sir. Thank you for all of them!

[@VGMCam]

This guy speaks very eloquently and seems to have such a deep understanding of what they're doing with this new barrow in a moral and business sense.

[@morganfreeman8208]

New here? ❤

[@Henrya11]

@@namantherockstar keep begging then, but not here, have some decency

[@Bombastian1230]

It's automayed replying will do nothing

[@Just1Me9235]

Tom has never put less than 100% effort into any of his videos. Frequently, he goes 150, or even 200%. But he respects each subject that he films and does it right. And that's partly why we only have 19 weekly videos remaining, and rightfully so for Tom.

[@PeTTs0n88]

@@morganfreeman8208 I think they're referring to the guy Tom interviews - Tim.

[@WilhalmBrion]

The farmer spoke so eloquently and respectfully about the project. Seems to be in excellent hands.

[@IdentifiantE.S]

He was so talented !

[@VosperCDN]

He was so very knowledgable about not just the physical long barrow itself, but also the details and history and background surrounding one.

[@RainaRamsay]

+

[@IndigoIndustrial]

He gets a cut of the money, and so will anyone who buys or inherits it, for the next 5,000 years? And he asked for that payment up front?

[@brilobox2]

@@IndigoIndustrial It was explicitly highlighted in the video that the maximum contract length in the UK for even the longest term contracts such as burial space is 99 years. Grave site fees are also usually paid up front.

[@tolkienfan1972]

Ancient alien believers: "This requires advanced technology" Tim: "You can do this with a couple of sticks"

[@shangerdanger]

gotta cherish every tom scott video now that i know the end is nigh

[@robertwilloughby8050]

More like the long pause is nigh, but yes, we'll miss him for that time. Anyhoo, we'll get more Technical Difficulties!

[@TheKz262]

I can't believe Seth everman and Tom are gonna stop uploading almost at the same periode. At least Tom's stop is temporary ?

[@gmtom19]

The pause wont be too long I reckon, people as driven and talented as Tom tend to have trouble staying away.

[@Beakerbite]

@@TheKz262 Who knows. Tom has been doing this a long time and I can't see why he'd want to stop, but he's simply not the person he was a decade ago. After a few months off, he might find the relief of not researching and shooting these videos to be so immense that he'll stop entirely. I doubt he'd ever return to the weekly without fail format, but he's certainly going to take some time to reflect on just what the next decade should look like for him.

[@jacciswacc4335]

He may still try to stick to the consistent schedule but not enforce it. This isn’t the end, not even a pause. Maybe it’ll be a week and a half instead of a consistent one week.

[@PikkaBite]

I always enjoy the silent, long final shots in Tom's videos. It is like they give you a private moment to reflect* what it has just been said and shown.

[@MannyXVIII]

You just understood one of the main reasons for credits at the end. One might argue about the music and all, but it is that moment to summarize for oneself what was just watched instead of having the attention drawn directly to the next subject.

[@moku1648]

A pause, a lull, silence. Less is more. We are slowly bleeding these common things from our digitized culture, and this shows most in art.

[@anudeepk7579]

@@MannyXVIII One of my favourite things to do in movies is just sitting through the credits. If I really liked the movie, I let the credits roll while I think about the movie or read discussions of the movie online while the music plays. It's a good feeling. Unfortunately sometimes people give you an eye if you sit in the theater while the staff is waiting to start cleaning haha.

[@landsgevaer]

@@anudeepk7579 Recognisable! It tends to be an emotional moment. I've shed tears over animation movies even, for no particular apparent reason (ratatouille?). I only do that in movie theaters though, not when playing a DVD at home for example. I always thought I wanted to milk every penny I paid for the ticket (given that I'm dutch). But this gives a fresh perspective... 😉

[@Bismuth9]

Especially when the final line is as good as this one

[@beretperson]

Imagine an archeologist 5000 years from now finding this and being SO CONFUSED

[@TheZebinatorofficial]

"This was probably used for some kind of fertility ritual purpose"

[@fen3311]

Considering how everything today is meticulously documented, unlikely.

[@beretperson]

@@fen3311 I think you underestimate the passage of time and overestimate the resilience of digital media.

[@ohiasdxfcghbljokasdjhnfvaw4ehr]

even if that somehow happened, that would be intriged, not confused. archeologists dont go in expecting anything, they find things then figure out more about them.

[@fen3311]

@@beretperson Unless a catastrophic event happens that kills most of us, digital media will persist. People will copy and copy and backup, they already do it with every other form of information, books, tablets, etc. I think you underestimate the potential technology to recover most things we could develop in 100 years, let alone 5000.

[@brianholmes1812]

On that closing point, one of my undergraduate archaeology professors used to say "the dead don't bury themselves". Ultimately, while a grave says some things about the person buried there, it says so much more about the people who buried them

[@BroonParker]

What does this say about our invented rather than inherited "traditions"?

[@szczurek2725]

​@@BroonParkerall traditions are invented. Just depends how long ago.

[@RC-1290]

I like how aware Tim Ashton is of various potentially contentious subjects, and navigates them smoothly. At least to my ears.

[@Zach_Attack_1]

*Tom

[@imveryangryitsnotbutter]

@@Zach_Attack_1 *Tim Scitt

[@johnwt7333]

Timmy*

[@polerin]

​@@johnwt7333timmity skimmity?

[@HotTacticalBoyfriendOfficial]

@@Zach_Attack_1 The farmer who built and maintains it is named "Tim".

[@eliza1780]

I love this idea of restarting historical traditions like this!

[@xephael3485]

Why? What about 🧹 witch burning?

[@corni_2043]

Tbh, I would like to end up in a place like this. Beeing close to the living , even if I'm dead soulds calming

[@AceSkates]

Living history, if you would.

[@daniellalloyd1082]

Seconded. Selectively, of course.

[@peterwilles7227]

​@@xephael3485😂 they only burnt when they arent witches😉😂

[@jmillward]

I looked up the prices in case anyone is curious as I was. They start at £800 per urn for one year in a single niche, or £1,950 for 99 years. A large niche with a capacity of 5+ urns for 99 years is £5,850 or £7,000, depending on the site.

[@trentr9762]

no bad compared to burial plots and all the costs that go with that

[@neruneri]

Very reasonable pricing honestly.

[@misimik]

Tim the farmer made job easy for Tom. He narrated most of the video very professionally.

[@fltfathin]

Either that or tom being a good videomaker asks lots of things and make it easy to explain stuff for narrating it and pick the best takes

[@samsylvester2140]

I think both things came together here. The farmer is eloquent, and Tom is (undoubtedly!) a very good videomaker 😉

[@angusdj3000]

I worked on this project doing the stone work and landscape the surrounding area so know Tim quite well. He really knows his stuff, he's very intelligent and is very passionate about long barrows.

[@severalgeollosscreaming48]

As someone who lives very close the Newgrange, Meath, it's always fun to show off and see these structures. This idea of "Look they aren't the ancient Egyptians but our ancestors could work with maths and physics to make the structures that utilise the sun and have survived longer than Pyramids" its a piece of history and heritage so many forget they have.

[@DaveOBrien]

Newgrange is older than the pyramids, isn't it?

[@noragogo-ws4qy]

@@DaveOBrieni believe so yea

[@kdc6002]

@@DaveOBrien Yes, i just checked on wikipedia - "It is an exceptionally grand passage tomb built during the Neolithic Period, around 3200 BC, making it older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids."

[@severalgeollosscreaming48]

@@DaveOBrien depends on the pyramids I think, the majority, yes, not sure about the older deformed ones.

[@lydia1634]

I got to go during university. Magnificent experience. Newgrange differs from this barrow in that it's designed to light up on the winter solstice instead of the summer. Last I heard they have a lottery to determine who gets to go each year. I'm sure it would be a mind-blowing experience.

[@majaherold1325]

This guy is one of my favorite people you've interviewed, I think. So so calm, sensitive and collected.

[@isee7283]

Hey Tom, not sure if you are reading this but I'm the guy you gave brofist to in Prague by Doubravka Tower. I just wanted to tell you that you made my day as I did not expect to meet you like this, a truly incredible experience. Hope you enjoyed the stay!

[@sentientarugula2884]

Congrats on meeting Sir Scott!

[@nicolad8822]

@@sentientarugula2884 It would be “Sir Tom”.

[@panda4247]

It should be "Cap'n Tom"

[@dlbstl]

That is so cool!

[@oz_jones]

​@@panda4247thats Mad Cap'n Tom to you, cur!

[@emkaydee6048]

Can feel Graham Hancock having an aneurism when he said you can align it easily with a couple of sticks! Good work!

[@pattheplanter]

Somebody needs to have a word with Hancock about how visible the Sun is.

[@nataliamundell6266]

Always my favourite videos 😂

[@thekaxmax]

the only reason he has a show is cos that's where his son works--and it shows.

[@vortessence8607]

Haha no kidding

[@janiexoxo]

Someone tag Milo so he can explore this

[@BrotherAlpha]

2:45 ... THANK YOU! Too much of the ancient alien crap is based on lining up features like this. It's easy to do, if you just look at the right day. This is especially easy if you are building something like the Pyramids, which take over a decade to complete.

[@itsSofieee]

it always came across to me as a lack of respect for the builders/craftsmen back then, as if it MUST BE aliens because they simply weren't smart enough to consider these things back then

[@j_taylor]

They hired aliens to build this one. Their year equals 99 earth years, that's why the annual contract has to be renewed every 99 of ours.

[@Izandaia]

@@itsSofieee It's not just a lack of respect, as often as not there's a healthy (unhealthy?) dose of racism mixed in.

[@itsSofieee]

@@Izandaia that's definitely a factor too

[@22burnsie]

Alien architects are the answer to people who are too stupid and ignorant to think that other people could be smarter than they are.

[@ultimatefandom3127]

This episode in particular extremely interests me, how we've revived a living momument of a forgotten culture in a way to both respect the past, present, and future inhabitants is quite sweet.

[@boobah5643]

It's almost as if copying artifacts from another culture _isn't_ a hideous crime! Yes, that was not to be taken seriously. No, they're not the same culture just because they occupy the same land; they're so divorced from each other that no one can say how the original barrows were used.

[@ximono]

I have a feeling that Neolithic farmers weren't woke * dodges incoming fire *

[@ultimatefandom3127]

@@ximono what on gods green earth are you on about??? lmao mans bringing politics to a video about old tombs.

[@Khronogi]

​@@ximonowho knows if they were aware of injustice in their society. We dont really know much

[@ThunderChanter]

I actually love the idea of scattering the ashes if they space is no longer wanted, as well as the clay for the urns being local. Return things to the earth for new life to grow

[@RexTenomous]

I just hope that they give proper respect when they do it. Given the prominent gathering area, I would think maybe they could do a sort of annual thing where they relay the lives of the people who are about to be scattered, like a second funeral.

[@jeremygarst394]

I cannot imagine any form of scattering which could be considered respectful. Just bury the urn in a regular cemetery and nature will take its course.

[@ximono]

It would raise the soil PH which is good for growing potates…

[@itsnome7750]

Add them to the top of the mound!

[@oxybrightdark8765]

​@@jeremygarst394scattering ashes is often done with ashes, to return the ashes to nature. It's common enough of a practice that I don't think your opinion is the majority opinion.

[@Tylorean]

„So if you ask three archaeologists what long barrows were used for, you'll probably get four different opinions.“ -Tom Scott

[@j.1668]

That's not a mistake, it's a common joke.

[@Frobac]

@@sparklepugtea It might not have been a mistake - one archaeologist might be considering two possibilities.

[@pattheplanter]

@@sparklepugtea Not a mistake, archaeologists are famous for disagreeing with themselves, let alone other archaeologists.

[@andrewche4066]

@@FrobacI'm a bit surprised he said four opinions, not six or seven

[@jlp1528]

@@pattheplanter This is a more specific example, but I think it could be applied to archaeologists in general: It's a well-known fact that all Egyptologists hate each other. - Velma Dinkley

[@PolarBear-rc4ks]

Tim came across as very respectful and open-minded in this video, which is really appreciated, as people are sadly not too open about death in this country. Hopefully that will change. For now though, projects like this are a great step forward!

[@squirlmy]

it's even worse in America. In Massachusetts, for example, the body must be embalmed(whether it's cremated or buried) with toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, I believe based on long outdated laws meant to prevent the spread of infectious disease. It must be disposed of in a legal cemetery, and no "green burials", so cemeteries are essentially toxic waste dumps never to be recovered by nature. The body is never brought into a home, if the deceased family wants a wake, it must be done in a "funeral home", and of course the body will be heavily made up to look as "life-like" as possible. I believe these sort of regulations and practices are even less open than those in the UK, and more and more funeral homes are being owned by commercial interests, not owned by any families.The US attempts to be in total denial of death, and it's incredibly unhealthy.

[@IdentifiantE.S]

Thats why we love his videos ! 😄

[@nicolad8822]

@@squirlmySounds like the funeral industry had good lobbyists?

[@Chaotic_Pixie]

What else I love about this is that it gives another purpose to the green space of a small, family farm. Part of the landscape helps off-set the cost of keeping the rest producing food/fiber/whatever it may be. And I feel like way more people would be more pleased with being on a shelf in such a lovely setting with other folks about than stuck on a mantle piece or in a box in the back of a closet.

[@SteveJones313]

Tim comes across as a very respectful and insightful person. He did a brilliant job in this. Also, weird thing to notice I grant you, but has any noticed that Tom seems to walk with more confidence these days? My friend, rest his soul, would say of a person "He walks with the confidence of a man who knows where his next step is without looking."

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

Agreed. The way he walks just perfectly complements the vibe of the video.

[@liammurray9274]

That closing thought and quiet closing shot was so good. I guess it is all too easy to forget just how many giant shoulders humanity stands upon, with each generation.

[@mathewsheffield8029]

As a church minister, and conductor of more than a few funerals, I'd like to say two things: 1. This is a fascinating and hugely positive reflection on the importance of marking death well. 2. This is a sensitively handled and well made video. I would love to visit, and see/hear more. Thank you Tom

[@jsmit9484]

And as a fierce atheist who has dealt with a lot of loss in his life I happen to completely agree with you :)

[@davidjagt9627]

I love how excited you get about new technology, Tom, but I think I love more how respectful you are about everything to do with what you do ❤

[@Sir_Cloudius]

As someone who studied archaeology why haven't I heard of this, love this.

[@keithhigh7773]

Sutton Hoo ring any bells?

[@j_taylor]

​@@keithhigh7773Sutton Who?

[@pokeyminch8376]

probably because the world is full of SO much. So many things to discover, here we are!

[@PrograError]

There's probably a version in SE Asia region. but i haven't heard of any, so far...

[@Notiravgsarah]

My same question, gotta email a professor of mine who taught old world archeology and see what he knows about these renewal of long borrows

[@charliericker274]

I wish I knew what these were 30 years ago when I was a kid reading Lord of the Rings. Would have made the scene with the barrow wrights make a lot more sense. I had only heard of wheel barrows.

[@HeeminGaminStation]

“If you ask three different archaeologists you’ll probably get four different opinions” What a great quote

[@Mrlonefighter]

As an Archaeologist, I can confirm this statement to be true. Most of our work is educated guesses, and the answers change over time as well. What we thought were a fact 20 years ago might be wrong today as new tech and new finds change our view over time.

[@Nphen]

@@Mrlonefighter So what you're saying, is that real human history sometimes feels kind of like the official Nintendo timeline for the Legend of Zelda? Don't answer; rhetorical question!

[@ximono]

I've heard the same applied to beekeeping and gardening

[@SaszaDerRoyt]

As someone who wants to be buried in my own small burial mound, it's great to see others interested in reviving these ancient traditions!

[@pattheplanter]

But you're going for a short barrow?

[@jursamaj]

Why do you care how you're buried (or otherwise disposed)? Like the video said, funerals aren't for the dead, they're for the survivors. If your spouse would rather have your ashes in an urn they can take with them, why not?

[@ilovesheen7446]

​​@@jursamajbecause it sucks balls to live life with that sort of thinking

[@ilovesheen7446]

​@@jursamajif you want to think that way, you do you, but why question someone else for not being part of your miserable ways? You're not even right, since the funeral does have meaning to the dead, because it had meaning to them before their death, sure it dosnt technically matter what happens but thats a cold and depressing way to look at it, i spent years thinking like that and i only feel dread looking back at it, but maybe you're different

[@Jehty21]

@@ilovesheen7446 why does that way of thinking suck? Why do you see it as miserable and depressing? It's just a fact. It is what it is.

[@daveandgena3166]

This barrow is really beautifully done. Much respect to Mr. Ashton for using his land this way.

[@robertbrown3064]

In a way, I enjoy the notion that after a century, one's ashes are scattered around the barrow. For a time after death, when your life is still within living memory, your ashes are kept safe in a place of remembrance for those who remain. Afterwards, once time has gently smoothed over your individuality and you are not known personally to the living, you are respectfully returned to the natural world, to make way for new souls, and more recent memories. As it should be, really.

[@eurybaric]

Thank you, that was a very comforting video. My dad passed away two years ago from cancer. You reminded me of that feeling I got during the funeral. The utter human-ness of it.

[@TomWDW1]

I'd love to see these pop up in the rural green areas of New England like Maine and Vermont. I'd absolutely invest in making that happen! The inside is so much larger than I expected

[@user-uv2cp1qd1j]

Would it not be more appropriate to have Native American traditions reintroduced? Otherwise it’s just another Bass Pro Shop pyramid

[@crackedemerald4930]

​@@user-uv2cp1qd1jyou can build anything anywhere, but you're right, it would be a bit odd to build a graveyard(?) themed jollybees. Or a McDonald's themed burial mound.

[@AmazingAwesomeAlaska]

There actually are an ancient equivalent of longbarrows in New England. Scattered throughout the forests are hundreds of stone chambers, many of which are confirmed to date from pre-contact times, although the general public seems to have little knowledge of them. Their exact purpose remains undetermined

[@pallaviprasad]

These Long Barrows look so much prettier than those all steel, concrete and blue glass buildings. We need more aesthetic structures like these in this century for the living as well.🎉

[@Metal00m]

As an archaeology grad, I love this!

[@MattMesserPics]

What an absolutely lovely idea! I may be a bit sensitive to this kind of thing, because I find myself frequently sitting under the old beach tree next to the urn of my dad who died a year ago, trying, with mixed success, to talk to him. So a place like this seems like such a good idea to focus your thoughts on the loved ones that are gone! I am even looking differently at my own work about Belas Knap (last November) since I saw this - well done!

[@manlethamlet]

So does this barrow also have a big puzzle door with a golden claw?

[@valeriek8537]

FUS!

[@BQhjort]

RO!@@valeriek8537

[@jonathannash8471]

Or maybe some bright lord armour

[@luqmana586]

Always apreciate a good draugr joke

[@dizzypear]

All fun and games until you open a chest and you hear "A NEW HAND TOUCHES THE BEACON"

[@167ray]

Tim has to be the most eloquent farmer I've ever heard 😂. This is an absolutely lovely idea

[@aleks5405]

Bold of you to assume that people that only work occasionally throughout the year don't get eloquent in the information era. All we do is philosophize and contemplate when we're not working.

[@jeremygarst394]

​@@aleks5405bold of you to assume he wasn't thinking of livestock farmers who work every day and still manage to learn to use big words like coccidiosis.

[@aleks5405]

@@jeremygarst394 Have you heard of the technological development? "Working every day" isn't exactly what you think it is even with stock farmers. Time for you short sighted city dwellers to get your brain out of the fog and see people outside of your burgs as equals.

[@user-iy7qp5vf7v]

What a well spoken and thoughtful young man.

[@Secret_Moon]

It actually humbled me to be reminded of how much thought, care and respect needs to go into something like this. It's not just simply putting together some stones for an exotic burial place. People did this with the utmost sincerity and respect to people and to culture from the bottom of their heart.

[@markr1961]

​@Elastane you can still be thoughtful and care and be sincere while making money. Making money is not in and of itself dirty or evil. Greed (aka the love of money) is the evil. And Tim Ashton has bridged very well the offering of a service while making money.

[@ThunderBlastvideo]

I love modern takes on ancient technology... it makes you appreciate it more

[@JizzMasterTheZeroth]

My grandfather built one in his youth. It still stands to this day. He wasn't buried in it though as my grandmother didn't want to be buried in it. I'm thinking of claiming it. So at least one was built ~60 years ago near Videbæk, Denmark.

[@Ocer.]

This video was great, I highly appreciated it. Truly. It feels as if I can tell that you made sure to make this last batch of videos with great care and quality

[@user-wy7mc6km7v]

Modern, efficient architecture is fine, but there must be thousands of unique ideas in ancient architecture that can be adapted for niche applications like this one, and it's always nice to have variety.

[@NameGoesHer926]

Ton Scott.

[@XowntXihqX]

that farmer is so well spoken, even if this is sort of a business plan it's clear that he's put a lot of thought into it and cherishes the very subject and everything involved.

[@jakedye172]

Another heartwarming tale, around what is a most lovely place. How i will miss the regular uploads. Hats off again Tom, look forward to seeing what you have next.

[@davidsmithy123]

this will confuse future archeologists

[@HorseDe-luxe]

I doubt it, the issue with all the ancient sites is that there's usually no historical record of them, what with the exclusively oral histories of bygone cultures. With this barrow, there's all the legal paperwork, there's people who will have to maintain the structure with invoices attached, there's videos like this one; lots of records, unlikely to be confused for something older. If we got to the point where all of our current-day records were lost and we've not been living around or maintaining places like this for many years, I think we'd have other things to be concerned with, but at the very least I wouldn't imagine a future archaeologist confusing the design of this structure for true neolithic architecture.

[@JNCressey]

The materials would be tested for dating. They'd know exactly when it was made.

[@infinitium8460]

​@HorseDe-luxe Those aren't the only issues. Ancient Egypt kept records of things, and yet we have archaeologists having to piece their civilisation together instead of linguists and lawyers. Even the Egyptians closer to the end of their civilisation had their own archaeologists working on ruins from earlier in their civilisation

[@jonathannash8471]

​@@JNCresseyNot so easy though. Carbon dating gets inaccurate for anything recent. All our industry makes the estimates more difficult for things in the late 20th century and beyond.

[@irishmanfromengland25]

@@JNCressey exactly.

[@olgerkhan9331]

20.000 years later maybe: "our ancestors had a small 2000 years trial & error phase, called the "mole period" where they placed heavy stoneslates on top of buried beloved ones with poorly handcrafted pagan wishes. after the carvings where altered by nature they dug them up and throw the remains away. but then they came back to our standard longbarrow traditions." ^^

[@mattsword41]

the discussion around the business aspect of this was great - so glad you didn't shy away from it

[@micahphilson]

Wow! Before he left youtube, Tom discovered and restored an advertisement from 3,000 BC! Now that's dedication!

[@Alexand3ry]

2:56 Interesting to hear that it isn't cheap to maintain this. I wonder how that works with their aim to have this last thousands of years? If it's left alone for 20 years, will it fall down? I can imagine they wouldn't want to talk about this much, but they MUST have at least tried to design to last.

[@simon-uj5lr]

This gives hope that there will be someone crazy enough to start building a pyramid like the ones in Giza.

[@lukefreeman828]

Can you imagine if some millionaire/billionaire started building one? They’d be absolutely slated for it.

[@azdavidza]

The Great American Pyramid in Memphis, Tennessee and the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas are both ~~70% the height of the Great Pyramid of Giza. I suppose these modern pyramids likely won't last as long as the ones in Giza though.

[@mrpositronia]

@@azdavidza they will if they are made out of huge sandstone bricks.

[@keithhigh7773]

Not in my back yard! All that land for ONE family. No thank you. Long barrows everytime.

[@LeafHuntress]

Not as grand perhaps, but search "Pyramide van Austerlitz" in the Netherlands.

[@nathanitet]

This is such a great video, excellent interview and stance on it all, and fantastic that this whole project has been made. Thank you for making this Tom!

[@kaz49]

I've been watching some old Tom Scott videos lately, and I must say that the video quality has improved significantly over the past few years. Good job everyone on Tom's team!

[@Eclaire1000]

i love these so much theyre always so interesting

[@frog8220]

I'm positively surprised that their pricing is quite transparent from a single Niche, 1 urn 1 yr £800 to a Large Niche 5+ urns 99 yrs £7,000 (as of Aug 2023). That's nice that they are so open on their website

[@tobyangel2264]

We have to be… for us the founding principal was to provide educated and informed choice.

[@joshuab2926]

This is genuinely so awesome! I hope it becomes more popular moving forward!

[@StevenGreenGuz]

Wow, that is so thought provoking. This might be my favourite Tom Scott story I've seen thus far.

[@FPSNecromancerBob]

Today I learned that church graveyards have a maximum stay time. Imagine being at a funeral and the priest leans into the family and says "I'll need that plot back by 2123 ok?"

[@ickster23]

I too was surprised to learn this when doing family history research. I came across church records indicating a plot an ancestor was buried at, with an exhumation date some 70 years later so the grave could be reused.

[@BossmodePictures]

@@ickster23 AFAIK, over here (Germany) it's only about 20 to 30 years, after that you have to "renew you subscription" or the grave will be given to another person.

[@crackthefoundation_]

So are there old graves in England at all? I'm sure there are, but, most are not??

[@keithhigh7773]

I had always suspected that there would be a time limit on graves. Having it confirmed in Tom's video left me thinking about the 100 years. I rationalised it by thinking that by then, everybody that knew me, including my young grandchildren will have also passed on. So it is no big deal.

[@ImplyDoods]

@@crackthefoundation_ there only dug up if the grave is needed so theres allot of old graves but proably not in very populated area's where space is limited

[@thomaseckert5691]

"There are no bones in here". Tom, you are in there and there is a camera operator!

[@SonOfFurzehatt]

"... And it was then that Tom Scott revealed that he has no bones."

[@Krim_The_Crow]

That was a really nice video. The gentleman who you interviewed for this was really well spoken and seemed to have his head in exactly the right place for this.

[@jadefalcon001]

This is a magnificent episode, Tom! There's something profound and amazing about this. I had no idea that that this was being done. Thank you!

[@saintuk70]

Love the idea of a barrow as a columbarium - nicer than the Victoriana cemetery and much more sustainable.

[@Elwaves2925]

I certainly wouldn't mind my ashes being in a place like this.

[@Francoberry]

So cool to see somewhere ive visited on here! Its a cool site run by and conceptualised by people who are truly passionate about historical preservation 😊

[@IsAMank]

So brave of Tom to go into the Barrows without 43 prayer, inspirational

[@Corner5tone]

This was really awesome. Thanks for covering this!

[@lucasknox4871]

2:56 "Humanity's invented a lot of things since history began, including capitalism" is a new one for the compilations.

[@TilW]

I think it's kind of weird to blame the need for a business plan and to pay workers on capitalism. Like, even the most ancient socities had forms of payment and needed to be efficient with their plans.

[@username65585]

Back in day they had slavery. I mean corvee.

[@chadmrrsn]

​@@TilWagreed

[@MINKIN2]

It's almost Douglas Adams like

[@Thulzor]

@@TilW Exactly. Not paying people was only viable when one person owned the other.

[@Brasswatchman]

I wonder if they have a "ruin" plan if maintenance gets too expensive or impractical or if the land owner simply doesn't want to bother with it. Will they just seal up the tomb with the ashes still in place? Will they fill it with concrete so it can't collapse?

[@zulkifantastic]

Tom, if you want a new interesting place to visit, even though it’s quite far away, visit the Underground Amusement Park in Romania. I mean, going on a Ferris wheel underground would be perfect for an Amazing Places video.

[@greenegg6010]

I really enjoyed the video Tom, thank you.

[@bigbasil1908]

I remember as a kid going inside the Dolmans at Carnac in Brittany. They were in really good condition. I've visited a few barrows around Britain and the complete ones tend to be gated and locked so you can't go inside and there are others that no longer have a mound over them that you can crawl into.

[@goeyguts]

Unreal stonework, very nice lads

[@maxfurious1257]

I wonder just how long I could watch Tom’s videos on repeat, all of them are expertly shot and very well researched, not to mention that just about all of the topics are generally interesting

[@recumbentrocks2929]

What great idea. Thanks for showing us this Tom.

[@HuntersOA]

I love this. In my country we have hundreds of these but not "new" ones. I wish the tradition would be reinvented here as well.

[@jessadelix7415]

I would LOVE Caitlin at Ask A Mortician to talk about this video at some point! Fascinating thoughts on the funeral history and how cultures have mourned the dead for 5000 yrs x

[@long_term_karma9899]

Caitlin would probably love to talk about this as well. Cool to find another deathling in the wild!

[@jessadelix7415]

@@long_term_karma9899 haha, hey fellow deathling! :) I find us all over the place on KZbin.

[@SonOfFurzehatt]

I'm the guy that recommended this to Tom Scott. I have Caitlin Doughty in mind for a future video, when Sacred Stones build their next project.

[@skii_mask_]

I appreciate his gentle discussion of the commercial aspect of the monument. I respect it.

[@jessiemae6873]

Absolutely flippin cool. What a great idea. Thank you again Tom for your amazing research.

[@bigsarge2085]

What a great idea.

[@TheAudsti]

Not even posted for an hour and it's got 10k views. We're going to miss you, Tom Scott!

[@Leo0718]

I love the reminder that cemeteries and monuments are not places for the death, but places for the living. We often forget that they're there to reminds us about things.

[@vonriel1822]

This was, for me, and somewhat weirdly at that, one of the most interesting videos you've had in a very long time. One of those things that I didn't know about, didn't know I wanted to know about, but once I heard about it, had to stop and think for several minutes about how interesting the concept is.

[@VorpalGun]

Imagine the confusion of future archaeologists in another 5000 years. Especially if our current culture collapses in between and the historical record is lost. "Most of these are 10k years old or older, except a couple that are just 5k years. That is a weird gap, probably must have been many in between but all of them destroyed?"

[@XSemperIdem5]

Then the three archeologists can have five opinions 😅

[@BroonParker]

You seem very optimistic about archaeologists being around after this "cultural collapse". I wish I could share your confidence.

[@kuunib7325]

In the Netherlands we call them Hunnebedden, though they are way older than the Huns. Like to the Huns they were older than the Huns are to us.

[@francesconicoletti2547]

The guide at Newgrange said it operated in a similar manner. There are very few bodies in Newgrange. The theory is the bodies were in Newgrange for a limited amount of time and then interred in the mounds ( no passages no access for the living ) that surround Newgrange.

[@BuckOllie]

Great video with so much respect shown by videographer and subject. What a special place that has been created for so many to enjoy. Nicely done, thank you.

[@frank327]

Lovely, and the man expresses the sensitivities and requirements of the project so well.

[@BroonParker]

Effective marketing?

[@alun7006]

Ahh, this is cool. Would you ever do a video on the Kofun, the megalithic burial mounds of Japan? They're insanely cool and I've not been able to find much about them that isn't in Japanese.

[@TheCrunchifiedOne]

Yet another Tom Scott video that has made it's way to my favourites!

[@jameseden9380]

Classy as always. Thanks Tom

[@ELS-tone]

By adding in wiring & rebar to satisfy safety standards, they've also ensured it won't last for centuries without lots of very serious maintenance unlike the earlier, still-standing long barrows

[@TycoPazifist]

I'm afraid when it comes to long barrows there might be serious survivor bias in play.. we don't even know where the 999 that collapsed might have been but the one that still stands tells us they were all marvels of safe construction..

[@markbowles2382]

You can always count on Tom Scott bringing the best stuff - I wish him well.

[@MemeticsX]

Love it - great video touching history and contemporary life... and death. Nice job Tom. :D

[@TheBigDaveB1]

Amazingly interesting as always Tom! Cheers!

[@kacperwoch4368]

Why is reusing niches for new burials and the need for maintainance considered a sensitive topic? Back where i'm from it is common knowlage you have to pay for a place in the graveyard and if a ''rent'' isn't paid after every 20 years they plow out the graves and make a new ones. Just how they did since the medieval times.

[@ParasocialCatgirl]

Well, it's not exactly common knowledge (at least to everyone else), and most people only learn about that in situations where they *need* to learn about that.

[@Jehty21]

@@ParasocialCatgirl it isn't common knowledge? Really? I doubt that

[@5peciesunkn0wn]

@@Jehty21 Unless you're in the funeral business, or were actively involved in the funeral process of someone who died, no. It is most certainly *not* common knowledge.

[@Jehty21]

@@5peciesunkn0wn and I still disagree. And so far we have 4 people who knew about it and not a single person who didn't. Seems like a strong argument that it is common knowledge. But we can wait for someone to reply who didn't know it...

[@Dicaso9]

​@@Jehty21your data is biased cause noone is gonna answer "i didnt know". I didnt know btw

[@unclewheelchair]

One thing I'd always want to see in Europe is their historical gravesites. While morbid, I find it fascinating you could see sites of people from 1100 AD or earlier even.

[@jannikheidemann3805]

I assume you are from the USA. Don't the natives where you live have ancient burial sites too?

[@unclewheelchair]

@jannikheidemann3805 yes USA. They may but it's possible they have been colonized over sadly. They also dont necessarily show the age of the gravesite. European gravesites seem to be extremely well marked and kept

[@sijul6483]

​@@unclewheelchair have you looked into 'Mound People' and where their mounds are? I do believe all of the identified mounds are historical landmarks.

[@squirlmy]

@@jannikheidemann3805 It's unknown how many of these were destroyed in colonization. Look up Poverty Point in Louisiana. Built between 1700 and 1100 BCE , they were only recognized as historical starting in the 1950s. In the Southwest, while there's remains of ancient habitations in cliffs, it seems as though the cultures weren't so interested in building monuments for the dead there. Although there are places like Chaco Canyon that don't seem to be made for living inhabitants, but who knows?

[@nicolad8822]

@@unclewheelchairThere are loads of gravesites built over in Britain. Whenever there is a big building project in London they have to move remains. And many old city graveyards in particular are not well kept at all as there are very few new burials permitted.

[@ericblackburn3131]

Okay but I just adore having a roof covered in plant life like that and now have a goal in life.

[@GhANeC]

That last quiet drone shot zooming out is awesome. And appropriate. Like a soul leaving and flying high and free.