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 at the northern end of the summit
ridge of Mere Hill. It survives as oval earthen mound up to 2.5m high with
maximum dimensions of 22.5m by 17m. A drystone wall crosses the barrow from
the west and turns to the south at the crest. Limited antiquarian excavation
of the mound located a rock-cut grave in the south-west quadrant containing
two contracted inhumations and a flint. A cist of flat stones placed on end
was found under and north of the western arm of the drystone wall. This cist
contained two inhumations, one of which was a child, an animal cremation and a
bronze knife. Other finds from elsewhere in the mound include two cremations,
two inhumations, human and animal bones, flints, pottery, lead, red ochre and
a bone pin. The drystone wall is excluded from the scheduling but the ground
beneath it is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
22403
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
