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 pair of Bronze Age bowl barrows, aligned north west to
south east, and situated on a gentle north east facing slope, 150m north of
Roustage Wood.
The north western barrow survives as a stony mound, reduced by cultivation to
10m in diameter, which stands up to 0.25m high. Originally, the mound
covered an area with a diameter of 12m. The original extent of the mound is
surrounded by a quarry ditch from which material was obtained during its
construction. Although no longer visible at ground level, having become
infilled over the years, this ditch will survive as a buried feature 2m wide.
The south eastern barrow survives as a stony mound 14m in diameter and up to
1m high. The centre of the mound contains a 2m wide depression up to 0.6m deep
which represents the site of partial excavation. The surrounding quarry ditch
survives as a buried feature 2m wide. The two quarry ditches are confluent
giving the monument the appearance of a figure eight on aerial photographs.
Records suggest that both barrows were partially excavated in 1858 when Iron
Age and Roman coins were found on and around the mounds.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
21799
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
