Three barrows 550m ENE of Cansford

Summary

Three bowl barrows 567m ENE of Cansford Farm.

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 some quarry damage, scrub growth and early partial excavation the three bowl barrows 567m ENE of Cansford Farm survive comparatively 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.

History

See Details.

Details

This record was the subject of a minor enhancement on 9 December 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, which falls into three areas, includes three bowl barrows situated on a prominent ridge overlooking the valley of a tributary to the River Ottery. The barrows survive as circular mounds surrounded by buried quarry ditches from which the construction material was derived. The southern barrow measures 10.5m in diameter and 0.6m high. Part of the southern side has been cut by a quarry. The central barrow is 21.5m in diameter and 1.8m high with a small concrete reservoir in the summit. The northern barrow stands up to 24.5m in diameter and 1.1m high with a small central hollow.

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

CO 922

Legacy System:

RSM - OCN

Sources

Other
PastScape Monument No:-434685 and 434688

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