Reasons for Designation
Bowl barrows, the most numerous form of round barrow, are funerary monuments
dating from the Late Neolithic period to the Late Bronze Age, with most
examples belonging to the period 2400-1500 BC. They were constructed as
earthen or rubble mounds, sometimes ditched, which covered single or multiple
burials. They occur either in isolation or grouped as cemeteries and often
acted as a focus for burials in later periods. Often superficially similar,
although differing widely in size, they exhibit regional variations in form
and a diversity of burial practices. There are over 10,000 surviving bowl
barrows recorded nationally (many more have already been destroyed), occurring
across most of lowland Britain. Often occupying prominent locations, they are
a major historic element in the modern landscape and their considerable
variation of form and longevity as a monument type provide important
information on the diversity of beliefs and social organisations amongst early
prehistoric communities. They are particularly representative of their period
and a substantial proportion of surviving examples are considered worthy of
protection.
The bowl barrow known as Priestcliffe Low, 200m west of Low End Farm, is
important as a surviving example of a bowl barrow in good condition. Although
disturbed at the centre, much of the monument remains intact and will contain
undisturbed archaeological information, possibly secondary cremations or
inhumations.
Details
The monument includes a Bronze Age bowl barrow known as Priestcliffe Low,
comprising a mound of earth and limestone standing in an elevated area
directly to the east of a steep escarpment. The mound measures 23.5m by 19m
and stands 1.5m high, appearing well defined and carefully constructed.
The location of the monument confers extensive views in all directions and the
barrow is easily visible from much of the surrounding area. The monument is
associated with a spring that rises some 80m to the east of the mound. Small
areas of the northern and western limits of the mound have been quarried,
almost certainly to build the drystone wall that runs north-south across the
eastern side of the monument. A minor disturbance to the centre of the mound
is indicative of an antiquarian excavation, and may represent the excavations
of September 1846 documented by Thomas Bateman.
Bateman's investigation revealed the remains of a cremation and a fragment of
decorated funerary urn.
As an isolated monument, Priestcliffe Low is indicative of the ceremonial use
of this area during the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age.
Excluded from the scheduling is the drystone wall that crosses the monument,
although the ground beneath it is included.
MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.
It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features,
considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.
