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 and disturbance by mining activity, the three bowl barrows 590m south west of Bedwindle, forming part of a round barrow cemetery, survive comparatively well and will contain archaeological and environmental evidence relating to their construction, relative chronologies, longevity, territorial significance, social organisation, funerary and ritual practices and overall landscape context.
Details
The monument, which falls into three areas of protection, includes three bowl barrows, situated on the summit of a prominent branching ridge forming the watershed between the Rivers Fowey and Lerryn. The barrows are arranged in a north west to south east alignment. The bowl barrows survive as circular mounds with surrounding quarry ditches, from which the mound construction material was derived. The ditches survive as buried features. The northern mound measures 28m in diameter and 2.8m high with a central excavation hollow. The central barrow mound measures 32m in diameter and 2.7m high, with central excavation hollows. It has been partially cut to the north by a track and to the south and east by mine workings. The southern mound is 24m in diameter and 0.4m high.
These barrows form part of a large and dispersed round barrow cemetery occupying the prominent branching ridge in this area. Other barrows within the cemetery are the subject of separate schedulings.
Sources: HER:-
PastScape Monument No:-432750, 1031154 and 1031155
