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. There are over 10,000 surviving bowl
barrows recorded nationally (many more have already been destroyed), occurring
across most of lowland Britain. 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
and a substantial proportion of surviving examples are considered worthy of
protection.
Details
The monument includes five prehistoric round barrows, members of a group of
barrows on this area of the Yorkshire Wolds. They are located in a roughly
triangular group. The north-western barrow mound is 1.75m high and 50m in
diameter. The north-eastern barrow mound is 1.5m high and 56m in diameter. The
eastern barrow mound is 0.4m high and 35m in diameter, while the western one
is 0.2m high and 17m, in diameter. The southern barrow mound, in the point of
the triangle is 1.3m high and 17m in diameter. Although no longer visible at
ground level, ditches, from which material was excavated during the
construction of the monuments, surround the barrow mounds. These have become
infilled over the years but survive as buried features 4m wide. The north-
western barrow was partially excavated by Dr Hull and Canon Greenwell during
the 19th century. Greenwell recorded the finding of one cremated adult
accompanied by two flint knives and a food vessel.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
21138
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals Other
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
