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 a large Bronze Age bowl barrow, perhaps re-used in later
periods. The barrow mound is now between 3m and 4m high and oval in shape,
measuring 21m south-west to north-east and 27m south-east to north-west.
However, the barrow is respected by a later field boundary to the north-west
and the better survival of the mound against this boundary confirms that it
was originally circular and larger, its shape having been modified by
ploughing. Although no longer visible at ground level, a ditch, from which
material was excavated during the construction of the monument, surrounds the
barrow mound. This has become in-filled over the years but survives as a
buried feature 3m wide.
On present evidence, the monument, which has not been excavated, is identified
as a Bronze Age barrow. However, because of its large size it has been
suggested that it could also represent a Roman burial mound and/or a Thing
mound, an early medieval meeting place.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
21236
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
