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 altered by agricultural activity and is
no longer visible as an earthwork, there is no evidence that the barrow has
ever been excavated; below ground remains of the surrounding ditch, grave pits
(which may be up to 2m in depth) and burials will survive intact.
The monument is one of a closely associated group of barrows which have
further associations with broadly contemporary boundary earthworks in the
vicinity of Hanging Grimston. Similar groups of monuments are also known from
other parts of the Wolds and from the southern edge of the North York Moors.
Such associations between monuments offer important scope for the study of the
division of land for social, ritual and agricultural purposes in different
geographical areas during the prehistoric period. Additionally, some of the
barrows in the Hanging Grimston area are distributed parallel to a line later
adopted by a Roman road; this distribution implies a degree of continuity of
land divisions from at least the Early Bronze Age into the Roman period.
Details
The monument includes a bowl barrow which is one of several situated on the
south eastern spur of Deepdale Wold. This barrow also lies 160m east of the
later Roman road between Malton and Brough; the distribution of Neolithic and
Bronze Age burial mounds parallel to this road is evidence that the Romans
continued to use an established prehistoric route across the Wolds.
Although altered by agricultural activity and no longer visible as an
earthwork, the ditch surrounding the barrow, which has become infilled over
the years, is visible on aerial photographs. The ditch has a maximum diameter
of 34m. As there is no evidence that the barrow has ever been excavated, the
buried ditch and the contents of burial pits, which may be up to 2m deep, are
thought to remain intact.
MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.
It includes a 3 metre boundary around the archaeological features,
considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.