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 560m south east of Cherry Cross survive 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 three areas of protection, includes three bowl barrows, situated close to the summit of a prominent branching ridge forming the watershed between tributaries to the River Tamar and Caudworthy Water. The barrows survive as circular mounds, surrounded by buried quarry ditches, from which their construction material was derived. The northern barrow is a considerable distance from the other two and measures 32m in diameter and 1.5m high. The central barrow stands up to 27m in diameter and 1m high, whilst the southern barrow mound is 35m in diameter and 1m high. These two barrows are relatively closely-spaced.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
CO 942
Legacy System:
RSM - OCN
End of official list entry
