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. 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. Despite early partial excavation, the three bowl barrows between 200m and 730m north of Hayle Kimbra Pool survive comparatively well and will contain archaeological and environmental evidence relating to their construction, relative chronologies, longevity, territorial significance, social organisation, ritual and funerary practices and overall landscape context.
Details
The monument, which falls into three areas of protection, includes three bowl barrows, situated on a wide plateau, with far reaching coastal views towards Lizard Point. All three barrows survive as circular mounds with their surrounding quarry ditches, from which the mound construction material was obtained, being preserved as buried features. The southern mound measures 15m in diameter and 0.7m high with a slight perimeter bank indicating a probable kerb and a central hollow from partial early excavation or robbing. The central mound measures 18m in diameter and 1.1m high with a central hollow. The northern mound measures 15m in diameter and 1.2m high has a central hollow and slight traces of the outer ditch.
Other archaeological remains survive in the vicinity, some of which are the subject of separate schedulings.
Sources: HER:-
PastScape Monument No:-425248, 425251 and 425254
