A barrow-wight is a spectral undead creature that appears in the written works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Similar to a wraith, these entities were inspired by ancient Norse legends of Draugr and similar beings. Barrow-wights were originally the spirits of evil Men, Maiar and Orcs that were sent to the Barrow-downs by the Witch-king of Angmar in order to prevent the restoration of the destroyed Dúnedain kingdom of Cardolan. They animated the dead bones of the Dúnedain buried there, as well as older bones of Edain from the First Age which still were buried there.