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. Although the barrow has been partially altered by agricultural activity,
below-ground remains of the encircling ditch will survive intact, as will the
grave pits located beneath the mound.
The monument is one of a closely associated group of barrows which have
further associations with broadly contemporary boundary earthworks on Birdsall
Wold. Similar groups of monuments are also known from other parts of the Wolds
and from the southern edge of the North York Moors. Such associations between
monuments offer important scope for the study of the division of land for
social, ritual and agricultural purposes in different geographical areas
during the prehistoric period.
Details
The monument includes a bowl barrow situated on the southern edge of Toisland
Wold, overlooking Vessey Pasture Dale. The barrow is one of a number of
prehistoric monuments on Birdsall Wold.
Although the barrow has been altered over the years by agricultural activity
and is no longer visible as a surface feature, the 24m diameter ditch which
surrounded the barrow is visible on aerial photographs.
The 19th century antiquarian, J R Mortimer, noted that the mound of a barrow
near Vessey Pasture Farm had been dug away to obtain large flints in the
1850's but he did not excavate the barrow. MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.
It includes a 3 metre boundary around the archaeological features,
considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
20490
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals Mortimer, J R , Forty Years Researches in British and Saxon Burial Mounds of East Yorkshire, (1905)Other Stoetz, K., RCHME unpublished survey,
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.
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