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 bowl barrow 180m north of the Merry Maidens Stone Circle survives comparatively well and will contain archaeological and environmental evidence relating to its construction, longevity, territorial significance, social organisation, funerary and ritual practices, relationships with other closely associated monuments and overall landscape context.
Details
The monument includes a bowl barrow, situated on the summit of a ridge, overlooking the Lamorna Valley. The barrow survives as a circular mound of up to 18m in diameter and 1.6m high with its surrounding quarry ditch, from which the material to construct the mound was derived, being preserved as a buried feature. An early excavation trench curves across the barrow and a retaining wall which once formed part of a field boundary is still visible to the south, although the rest of this field boundary was removed by 1962. The barrow was first recorded by Borlase in 1872 who stated that an urn was found in the barrow and sent to the then Lord Falmouth.
Other archaeological remains in the vicinity are the subject of separate schedulings.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
CO 669
Legacy System:
RSM - OCN
End of official list entry
