Bell barrow 670m east of Baylea Farm: one of a small group of barrows on Highwood Heath

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 bell barrow on Highwood Heath has survived well and contains archaeological remains and environmental evidence relating to the monument and the landscape in which it was constructed. This barrow is one of a number to survive on the heathland between the River Frome and the Dorset coast.

Details

The monument includes a prominent bell barrow, one of a small group of barrows situated on Highwood Heath, an area of lowland heath close to the Dorset coast. The barrow mound is 2.8m high and 23m in diameter and has a surrounding berm or platform c.3m wide. Beyond this is a ditch from which material was quarried during the construction of the monument. This has become partially infilled over the years but survives as a depression 1m deep and 3m wide. Surrounding the ditch is an outer bank although this is not clearly defined.

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.

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

21921

Legacy System:

RSM

End of official list entry

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