Two bowl barrows 445m south-west of Ordnance Survey triangulation pillar in Ringwood Forest

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.

Despite evidence for partial excavation, the two bowl barrows survive comparatively well and both retain undisturbed remains of considerable archaeological potential.

Details

This monument includes two bowl barrows situated on a prominent knoll overlooking Ashley Heath. The western barrow mound measures 20m in diameter and stands up to 1.7m high, though its height is enhanced by its position on a natural knoll. The steep slope around the edge of the mound means that there is probably no ditch and instead material was quarried from the lower slopes of the knoll. The eastern barrow mound measures 13m in diameter and 1.3m high. Although no longer visible at ground level, a ditch from which material was quarried, surrounds the barrow. This has become infilled over the years, but survives as a buried feature c.1.5m wide. Both barrows have a hollow in the centre of the mound which suggests robbing or partial excavation.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract. It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features, considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

20288

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Grinsell, L V, Proceedings of the Hampshire Field Club in Hampshire Barrows, Vol. 14, (1938), 359

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