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 one of seven bowl barrows situated on the crest of a
slight ridge of Greensand and forming part of a dispersed linear round barrow
cemetery aligned north-west to south-east on Reigate Heath. The barrow has a
small flat topped mound 15m in diameter and 0.4m high with a slight central
hollow suggesting that the barrow was once partially excavated. There has
been some disturbance to the northern edge of the mound resulting in its
uneven shape. Surrounding the mound is a ditch from which material was
quarried during the construction of the monument. No longer visible at ground
level the ditch has become infilled over the years but survives as a buried
feature 2m wide.
This could be one of the four barrows on Reigate Heath partially excavated in
1809 before the planting of pine trees. In two of the mounds burnt bones were
found and in the largest barrow a circular hole 0.5m in diameter and 0.4m deep
containing ashes and charred wood was discovered cut into the natural rock
beneath the mound. Three of the pine trees planted on the mound survive.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
20165
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
