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 some disturbance, the bowl barrow 680m WSW of Gwenter Farm survives comparatively well and will contain archaeological and environmental evidence relating to its construction, longevity, territorial significance, social organisation, funerary and ritual practices and overall landscape context.
Details
The monument includes a bowl barrow, situated on the south eastern side of Goonhilly Downs. It forms part of an extensive and dispersed round barrow cemetery. The barrow survives as a circular mound, measuring up to 17m in diameter and 1.3m high. There are several large stones visible, some of which are naturally occurring, which appear to form part of a retaining kerb. The surrounding quarry ditch, from which construction material was derived, is preserved as a buried feature.
Other barrows which form part of the round barrow cemetery are the subject of separate schedulings.
Sources: HER:-
PastScape Monument No:-426644
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
CO 688
Legacy System:
RSM - OCN
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