Disc barrow at Easton Clump

Summary

Disc barrow 665m north-west of Hill Barn.

Reasons for Designation

Disc barrows, the most fragile type of round barrow, are funerary monuments of the Early Bronze Age, with most examples dating to the period 1400-1200 BC. They occur either in isolation or in barrow cemeteries (closely-spaced groups of round barrows). Disc barrows were constructed as a circular or oval area of level ground defined by a bank and internal ditch and containing one or more centrally or eccentrically located small, low mounds covering burials, usually in pits. The burials, normally cremations, are frequently accompanied by pottery vessels, tools and personal ornaments. It has been suggested that disc barrows were normally used for the burial of women, although this remains unproven. However, it is likely that the individuals buried were of high status. Disc barrows are rare nationally, with about 250 known examples, most of which are in Wessex. Their richness in terms of grave goods provides important evidence for chronological and cultural links amongst prehistoric communities over a wide area of southern England as well as providing an insight into their beliefs and social organisation. As a particularly rare and fragile form of round barrow, all identified disc barrows would normally be considered to be of importance. Despite damage caused by the significant wind throw of trees in 1990 the disc barrow 665m north west of Hill Barn 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.

History

See Details.

Details

This record was the subject of a minor enhancement on 24 September 2015. This record has been generated from an "old county number" (OCN) scheduling record. These are monuments that were not reviewed under the Monuments Protection Programme and are some of our oldest designation records.

This monument includes a disc barrow situated on the northern summit of the prominent Easton Hill overlooking the valleys of tributaries to the River Bourne and Hurly Lake. The disc barrow survives as a circular central mound of 18m in diameter and 0.9m high surrounded by a 13m wide berm and outer bank of 1.8m wide and up to 0.5m high and atypically it has an outer perimeter ditch of 3.6m wide and up to 0.3m deep. In the past the barrow has been misidentified as a tree ring.

Further archaeological remains in the immediate vicinity are scheduled separately.

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

WI 885

Legacy System:

RSM - OCN

Sources

Other
PastScape 224251
Wiltshire HER SU25NW600

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