Three bowl barrows forming part of a round barrow cemetery at Cataclews Point

Overview

Location

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 partial early excavation, the three bowl barrows forming part of a round barrow cemetery at Cataclews Point survive comparatively well and will contain further archaeological and environmental evidence relating to their construction, relative chronologies, longevity, social organisation, territorial significance, funerary and ritual practices and their overall landscape context.

Details

The monument, which falls into three areas of protection, includes part of a round barrow cemetery situated on the summit of a coastal headland between Polventon or Mother Ivey's Bay and Harlyn Bay. This part of the cemetery includes three bowl barrows which survive as circular mounds of stone and soil with their surrounding quarry ditches preserved as buried features. The western mound measures 20m in diameter and 0.9m high with slight indications of the outer ditch and with excavation hollows to the centre and sides. It was partially excavated during the Second World War by quarrymen, but there were no reported finds. The central mound measures 15m in diameter and 0.9m high with a central excavation hollow. It was partially excavated by Mr Pocock of the Zoological Society of London, and a fine cinerary urn was found. The eastern barrow mound is 20m in diameter and 0.9m high with both central and side excavation hollows. A flagstaff was once placed on it.

Sources: HER:- PastScape Monument No:-429412

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

CO 558

Legacy System:

RSM - OCN

Legal

This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.