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 the erection of the gun barrel on the summit and some disturbance to its periphery through cultivation, the bowl barrow 200m south east of Scarnor Point survives well and will contain archaeological and environmental evidence relating to its construction, longevity, territorial significance, social organisation, ritual and funerary significance and overall landscape context.
Details
The monument includes a bowl barrow, situated on a prominent cliff on the north Cornish Coast. The barrow survives as a circular mound measuring up to 21m in diameter and 2m high. The surrounding quarry ditch, from which material to construct the mound was derived, is preserved as a buried feature. Part of a large gun barrel has been stuck into the top of the mound and is thought to function as a day mark for shipping. A length of boundary bank crosses the buried ditch on the north western side of the barrow. This boundary is excluded from the scheduling but the ground beneath is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
CO 364
Legacy System:
RSM - OCN
End of official list entry
