Reasons for Designation
Round barrows 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 mounds, sometimes ditched, which covered single or multiple burials. They occur either in isolation or grouped as cemeteries and often acted as a focus of burials in later periods. There are over 10,000 surviving examples recorded nationally (many more have already been destroyed), occurring across most of Britain. Often occupying prominent locations, they are a major historic element in the modern landscape and their considerable variation in 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 and a substantial proportion of surviving examples are considered worthy of protection.
Despite the fact that it has undergone cultivation and partial excavation, South Side Mount round barrow is reasonably well preserved and retains significant archaeological deposits relating to its construction and use, and environmental deposits relating to the nature and use of the surrounding landscape. It will contribute to our knowledge and understanding of Bronze Age funerary and ritual practice. The fact that it is thought to have been reused during the Anglo-Saxon period, enhances its importance as a monument of some longevity.
Details
The monument includes a prehistoric round barrow situated on the Wold top. It is visible as a circular mound measuring about 30m in diameter. The surrounding quarry ditch, from which material to construct the mound was derived, survives as a buried feature.
The round barrow was partially excavated by Canon Greenwell prior to 1877 (Greenwell Barrow 67), which revealed that it is constructed of chalk resting on a layer of dark earth, which was thicker in the centre of the barrow. The mound contained or covered more than 20 cremations and burials including that of a child and a female in wood-lined pit. Other interments within the mound included crouched or incomplete inhumations. The barrow contained charcoal and animal bones and grave goods included Bronze Age pottery vessels and a large collection of flint implements, including leaf-shaped arrowheads of Neolithic date. A group of five male inhumations, including three in extended positions were situated near to the top of the barrow, and were thought to be later insertions of Anglo-Saxon date.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
ER 69
Legacy System:
RSM - OCN
End of official list entry
