Bowl barrow at Roskruge Beacon

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, the bowl barrow at Roskruge Beacon survives well and will contain archaeological and environmental evidence relating to its construction, longevity, territorial significance, social organisation, funerary and ritual practices, possible re-use as a beacon and overall landscape context.

Details

The monument includes a bowl barrow, situated at the summit of an extremely prominent coastal hill known as Roskruge Beacon, with far reaching coastal and estuarine views across the Helford River. The barrow survives as a circular flat-topped and steep-sided mound measuring up to 20m in diameter and 2m high. Its surrounding quarry ditch, from which the construction material was derived, is preserved as a buried feature. The summit of the mound has a shallow central depression which may mark the position of antiquarian investigation, although no details are known.

First recorded on the Ordnance Survey 1813 map, it was known earlier from the place name evidence of 'cruc', the Cornish word meaning 'hillock' or 'barrow' which is first documented as Roskruge in 1287.

Sources: HER:- PastScape Monument No:-427237

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

CO 705

Legacy System:

RSM - OCN

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