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. The three bowl barrows 200m north west of Pawtonsprings survive well, exhibit several morphological differences and are relatively small in size. They 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 three areas of protection, includes three bowl barrows, situated on the northern upper slopes of St Breock Downs. Two of the barrows are contiguous with a third to the south west. They survive as circular mounds with buried outer quarry ditches, from which material to construct the mounds was obtained. The northern barrow mound measures 8.5m in diameter and 0.8m high and three spar stones protrude from the centre near the top. The central barrow, contiguous to the first has a low mound measuring up to 9.5m in diameter and 0.6m high. The south western mound is 14m in diameter and 0.3m high. It is surrounded by a perimeter bank, with some protruding stone indicating a retaining kerb of up to 5m wide and 0.5m high.
These barrows form part of an extensive and dispersed cemetery, and other barrows within it are the subject of separate schedulings.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
CO 505
Legacy System:
RSM - OCN
End of official list entry
