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 being cut by a boundary bank and track, the two bowl barrows 1250m east of Notton Hill Barn survive comparatively well and will contain archaeological and environmental evidence relating to their construction, relative chronologies, territorial significance, social organisation, ritual and funerary practices and overall landscape context.
Details
The monument, which falls into two areas of protection, includes two bowl barrows situated on the east facing slopes of Notton Down, overlooking the River Frome and Southover Bottom. The eastern barrow survives as a circular mound up to 12.6m in diameter and 1.5m high, surrounded by a buried quarry ditch, from which the construction material was derived. It is bisected by the ditched parish boundary bank between Maiden Newton and Frampton and has been cut on the south eastern side. The western barrow survives as a circular mound measuring 12m in diameter and 0.5m high. It is surrounded by a buried quarry ditch and is cut by a track on the north western side.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
DO 398
Legacy System:
RSM - OCN
End of official list entry
