Final answer:
Barrow-wights are mythical creatures believed to keep treasures and artifacts in their barrows. Real-world barrows may contain items like pottery and jewelry, indicating the buried individual's status. Over time, burial practices have reflected social hierarchies in ancient communities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Barrow-wights in fictional and mythological contexts are often associated with guarding or keeping treasures and artifacts in their barrows or tombs. A barrow, also known as a burial mound, is typically where these creatures are said to dwell. Historical excavations of real-world barrows have revealed that these mounds often contain precious items such as pottery, jewelry, weapons, and sometimes ritual items, signifying the status or wealth of the person buried there. Inequality in ancient societies was sometimes expressed through how richly one was buried, as seen in the differences between the burial possessions of community members over time.