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 bowl barrow located on the summit of Narrowdale Hill.
It survives as a slightly oval mound up to 1.3m high with maximum dimensions
of 11m by 10m. Limited excavation at the centre of the monument during the
19th century located the primary burial placed within a rock-cut grave with a
capstone. The grave contained a cremation, urn and a burnt flint. On top of
the capstone was a secondary burial comprising an urn inverted over a
cremation together with a flint. Another burial, probably inserted into the
barrow at a later date and situated close to the surface on the south-east
side of the barrow's summit, consisted of a small cist of four flat limestone
slabs set on edge with another slab for the floor. The cist contained a
cremation covered with an urn together with flint, bone and antler artefacts.
Unburnt human bones were also exposed during the excavation.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
13526
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
