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 reduction in the height of the mound through cultivation and the cutting of a road, the bowl barrow 300m south west of the Merry Maidens Stone Circle survives comparatively well and is closely associated with a number of other important monument classes it 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 upper east-facing slopes of a coastal ridge, overlooking Boscawen Point. The barrow survives as the major portion of a circular mound measuring up to 18m in diameter and 0.5m high. Its surrounding quarry ditch, from which the construction material was derived, is preserved as a buried feature. To the north eastern side, the ditch and part of the mound have been cut by a road. This area is not included in the scheduling.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
CO 799
Legacy System:
RSM - OCN
End of official list entry
