Bell barrow on Shalcombe Down: 500m south west of Shalcombe Manor

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.

Despite partial excavation, the bell barrow on Shalcombe Down will contain archaeological remains and environmental evidence relating to the monument and the landscape in which it was constructed. This barrow is one of a number which survive on downland on the Isle of Wight.

Details

The monument includes a bell barrow lying in a prominent postion on downland behind Compton Bay. The barrow mound measures 24m north-south by 26m east-west and is 3m high. Beyond the mound is a berm 5m wide and an outer ditch from which material was quarried during its construction. This has become partially infilled over the years but can still be seen as a depression varying between 0.7m and 1.5m deep and 7m wide. The barrow was opened by J Dennett in 1816 who found bronze weapons and a brooch and either bone or ivory ornaments. Evidence for this excavation survives in the form of a deep trench visible in the centre of the mound.

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:

21974

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Proceedings of the I.O.W. Nat History and Archaeological Soc in Proceedings of the I.O.W. Nat History and Archaeological Society, Vol. vol 3, (1940), 201,219
Skinner, Rev J, The I.O.W. Natural History And Archaeological Soc in Proceedings of the I.O.W. Natural History and Archaeological Soc, Vol. vol 3, (1940), 105,106

Other
Site No 124, Motkin, D., Isle of Wight SMR, (1983)

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