Reasons for Designation
Bell barrows, the most visually impressive form of round barrow, are funerary
monuments dating to the Early and Middle Bronze Age, with most examples
belonging to the period 1500-1100 BC. They occur either in isolation or in
round barrow cemeteries and were constructed as single or multiple mounds
covering burials, often in pits, and surrounded by an enclosure ditch. The
burials are frequently accompanied by weapons, personal ornaments and pottery
and appear to be those of aristocratic individuals, usually men. Bell barrows
(particularly multiple barrows) are rare nationally, with less than 250 known
examples, most of which are in Wessex. Their richness in terms of grave goods
provides evidence for chronological and cultural links amongst early
prehistoric communities over most of southern and eastern England as well as
providing an insight into their beliefs and social organisation. As a
particularly rare form of round barrow, all identified bell barrows would
normally be considered to be of national importance.
The stepped bowl barrow on Duckley Nap survives well and is a good example of
this unusual class of round barrow. It is largely undisturbed and will retain
archaeological deposits and environmental evidence relating to the landscape
in which it was constructed sealed on the old land surface beneath the barrow
and in the ditch fill. The barrow is unique in its style on The Long Mynd. It
is, however, one of several monuments of a similar age occuring on this area
of upland and, as such, contributes information relating to the intensity of
settlement and type of land-use in the area during the Bronze Age.
Details
The monument includes the remains of a large barrow, the southern one of two
known as Robin Hood's Butts, situated on Duckley Nap, a prominent high point
at the northern end of The Long Mynd. The barrow is visible as a large and
well defined circular mound with an overall diameter of 35.5m standing to a
height of 4.2m above the surrounding natural ground level. In profile the
barrow rises steeply from its base to a break of slope at 2m above natural
ground level, the mound is then stepped in 2m to form an annular berm 2m wide
before rising a further 2.2m to a rounded summit. The overall appearance is
of a smaller upper mound 18.5m in diameter surmounting a flat topped lower
mound. The north-eastern edge of the lower mound is crossed by a field bank of
stone and turf construction. The area to the north-east is improved pasture
and in this area the barrow is somewhat reduced and spread as a result of
ploughing. Although no longer visible as a surface feature, a ditch, from
which the material was quarried for the construction of the mound, surrounds
the mounument. This has become infilled over the years but survives as a
buried feature some 2.5m wide.
The boundary bank crossing the barrow edge, though now marking the edge of the
moorland, is shown in the earlier editions of the OS map as being within
moorland vegetation. This, together with the structure and appearance of the
bank, suggests that it is of considerable age. The section of bank crossing
the barrow is therefore included in the scheduling to protect its
archaeological relationship with the barrow below but the modern fence on top
of the bank is excluded.
MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.
It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features,
considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.
