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 excavated and altered by agricultural
activity, below ground remains of the encircling ditch and grave pits will
survive. It will also contribute to an understanding of the wider group of
which it is a member.
Details
The monument includes a Bronze Age round barrow, part of a wider group in this
area of the Yorkshire Wolds. The barrow mound has been levelled by ploughing,
though its enclosing circular ditch, excavated during the construction of the
monument, is clearly visible on aerial photographs. The ditch has become
in-filled, but survives as a buried feature 30m in diameter.
The 19th century antiquarian J R Mortimer partially excavated the barrow mound
in 1872.
He found a central grave which contained two skeletons, one adult and one
juvenile, accompanied by two bronze rings, a food vessel, and food and ochre
deposits.
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.
