 Excavation of Chestnuts Long Barrow revealed that it had been systematically destroyed in one event , and Ashbee suggested that the same may have happened to the Coldrum Stones . He believed that the kerb @-@ stones around the barrow were toppled , laid prostrate in the surrounding ditch , and then buried during the late thirteenth or early fourteenth century , by Christians seeking to obliterate non @-@ Christian monuments . Conversely , the archaeologist John Alexander — who excavated Chestnuts — suggested that the Medway tombs were destroyed by robbers seeking to locate treasure within them . As evidence , he pointed to the Close Roll of 1237 , which ordered the opening of barrows on the Isle of Wight in search for treasure , a practice which may have spread to Kent around the same time . Alexander believed that the destruction n Kent may have been brought about by a special commissioner , highlighting that the " expertness and thoroughness of the robbery " at Chestnuts would have necessitated resources beyond that which a local community could likely produce . Ashbee further suggested that in subsequent centuries , locals raided the damaged Coldrum tomb for loamy chalk and stone , which was then re @-@ used as building material . 
 Excavation of Chestnuts Long Barrow revealed that it <a href='been_done' title='1'><mark>had</mark></a> been systematically destroyed in one event , and Ashbee suggested that the same may <a href='been_done' title='2'><mark>have</mark></a> happened to the Coldrum Stones . He believed that the kerb @-@ stones around the barrow <a href='uninflect' title='3'><mark>were</mark></a> toppled , laid prostrate in the surrounding ditch , and then buried during the late thirteenth or early fourteenth century , by Christians seeking to obliterate non @-@ Christian monuments . Conversely , the archaeologist John Alexander — <a href='null_relcl' title='4'><mark>who</mark></a>excavated Chestnuts — suggested that the Medway tombs <a href='uninflect' title='5'><mark>were</mark></a> destroyed by robbers seeking to locate treasure within them . As evidence , he pointed to the Close Roll of 1237 , which ordered the opening of barrows on the Isle of Wight in search for treasure , a practice which may <a href='been_done' title='6'><mark>have</mark></a> spread to Kent around the same time . Alexander believed that the destruction n Kent may <a href='been_done' title='7'><mark>have</mark></a> been brought about by a special commissioner , highlighting that the " expertness and thoroughness of the robbery " at Chestnuts would <a href='been_done' title='8'><mark>have</mark></a> necessitated resources beyond that which a local community could likely produce . Ashbee further suggested that in subsequent centuries , locals raided the damaged Coldrum tomb for loamy chalk and stone , which was then re @-@ used as building material . 
Excavation of Chestnuts Long Barrow revealed that it done been systematically destroyed in one event , and Ashbee suggested that da same may done happened to tdaColdrum Stones . He believed dat the kerb @-@ stones around thdaarrow was toppled , laid prostrate in the surrounding ditch , and then buried durin the late thirteenth or early fourteenth century , by Christians seeking to obliterate non @-@ Christian monuments . Conversely , thedachaeologist John Alexander — excavated Chestnuts — suggested tdatthe daway tombs was destroyed by robbers seeking to locate treasure within them . As evidence , he pointed to the Close Roll of 1237 , which ordered the opening of barrows on the Ida of Wight in search fa treasure , a practice which may done spread to Kent around the same time . Alexander believed that the destruction n Kent may done been brought about by a special commissioner , highlighting thdathe " daertness and thoroughness of the robbery " at Chestnuts would done necessitated resources beyond thadatich a local community could likely produce . Ashbee further suggested that in subsequent centuries , locals raided the damdad Coldrum tomb ffirloamy chalk and stone , which was then re @-@ used as building material .