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 partial cultivation in the past, the bowl barrow 620m south west of Eggardon Hill Farm survives well and 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 summit of a ridge extending south east from Eggardon Hill and overlooking the valley of a tributary to the River Frome. The barrow survives as a circular mound measuring 10m in diameter and 1.4m high. It is surrounded by a buried quarry ditch, from which the construction material was derived. It is crossed by the parish boundary between Powerstock and West Compton.
Further archaeological remains survive in the vicinity and are the subject of separate schedulings.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
DO 343
Legacy System:
RSM - OCN
End of official list entry
