Reasons for Designation
Round barrow cemeteries date to the Bronze Age (c.2000-700 BC). They comprise
closely-spaced groups of up to 30 round barrows - rubble or earthen mounds
covering single or multiple burials. Most cemeteries developed over a
considerable period of time, often many centuries, and in some cases acted as
a focus for burials as late as the early medieval period. They exhibit
considerable diversity of burial rite, plan and form, frequently including
several different types of round barrow, occasionally associated with earlier
long barrows. Where large scale investigation has been undertaken around them,
contemporary or later "flat" burials between the barrow mounds have often been
revealed. Round barrow cemeteries occur across most of lowland Britain, with a
marked concentration in Wessex. In some cases, they are clustered around other
important contemporary monuments such as henges. Often occupying prominent
locations, they are a major historic element in the modern landscape, whilst
their diversity and their longevity as a monument type provide important
information on the variety of beliefs and social organisation amongst early
prehistoric communities. They are particularly representative of their period
and a substantial proportion of surviving or partly-surviving examples are
considered worthy of protection.
Details
The monument includes two bowl barrows aligned north east-south west and
situated on lowland heath close to the Dorset coast. Together they form part
of a wider round barrow cemetery.
The north eastern barrow mound is 2.9m high and 28m in diameter. The
south western mound is 1.5m high and 24m across. Each mound is surrounded by a
ditch from which material was quarried during its construction. The ditch of
the south western barrow has become infilled over the years and cannot be seen
at ground level. It does, however, survive as a buried feature c.4m wide.
The ditch of the north eastern barrow can be seen as a depression 3m wide and
1m deep. Beyond this ditch is an external bank 2m wide.
One of these barrows is thought to have been partially excavated in the last
century when an urn was found.
Between the two barrows and crossing the ditch area of the south western
barrow is a post and wire fence. This is excluded from the scheduling although
the ground beneath is included. The north eastern barrow is cut on its north
side by a trackway. The track is excluded from the scheduling, but the ground
beneath is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
21939
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals
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
