Reasons for Designation
Cranborne Chase is an area of chalkland well known for its high number,
density and diversity of archaeological remains. These include a rare
combination of Neolithic and Early Bronze Age sites, comprising one of the
largest concentrations of burial monuments in England, the largest known
cursus (a linear ritual monument) and a significant number and range of henge
monuments (Late Neolithic ceremonial centres). Other important remains include
a variety of enclosures, settlements, field systems and linear boundaries
which date throughout prehistory and into the Romano-British and medieval
periods. This high level of survival of archaeological remains is due largely
to the later history of the Chase. Cranborne Chase formed a Royal Hunting
Ground from at least Norman times, and much of the archaeological survival
within the area resulted from associated laws controlling land-use which
applied until 1830. The unique archaeological character of the Chase has
attracted much attention over the years, notably during the later 19th
century, by the pioneering work on the Chase of General Pitt-Rivers, Sir
Richard Colt Hoare and Edward Cunnington, often regarded as the fathers of
British archaeology. Archaeological investigations have continued throughout
the 20th century and to the present day.
Bowl barrows, the most numerous form of round barrow, are funerary monuments
dating from the Late Neolithic 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. Over 10,000 bowl barrows are known to survive
nationally, of which a cluster of at least 395 examples has been identified on
Cranborne Chase. Some of these have been levelled by ploughing but remain
visible from the air as ring ditches. Buried remains will nevertheless survive
at these sites, both within the ditch fills and associated with the central
burial pit. Bowl barrows are particularly representative of their period,
whilst their considerable variation of form and longevity as a monument type
will provide important information on the diversity of beliefs and social
organisation amongst early prehistoric communities. Often occupying prominent
locations, they are a major historic element in the modern landscape and
constitute a significant component of the archaeology of Cranborne Chase. All
surviving examples within this area are, therefore, considered to be of
national importance.
The bowl barrow 675m NNE of Ashmore Farm is part of a dispersed group of
similar monuments in this area of Cranborne Chase. It will preserve
archaeological remains providing information relating to later prehistoric
funerary practices, society and the contemporary environment.
Details
The monument includes a bowl barrow situated on a gentle south east facing
slope 675m NNE of Ashmore Farm.
The barrow mound has been reduced in height by ploughing and is visible only
as a slight rise and stonier patch in the ground surface. It was recorded in
1954 as having a diameter of 15m and a height of less than 0.3m. Surrounding
the mound is a quarry ditch from which material was derived for its
construction. This is visible as a slight surface depression on the northern
side and elsewhere survives as a buried feature about 2m wide.
The barrow lies within a prehistoric field system which is visible as slight
and fragmentary earthworks but, as the survival of this system is poor, and
its extent cannot be clearly defined on the basis of present understanding, it
is not included in the scheduling. The Roman road from Badbury to Bath also
passed alongside the barrow, but it is no longer visible on the surface at
this point, and as the relationship between the two monuments is not
visible on aerial photographs, it is not included in the scheduling.
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.
