Reasons for Designation
Saucer barrows are funerary monuments of the Early Bronze Age, most examples
dating to between 1800 and l200 BC. They occur either in isolation or in
barrow cemeteries (closely-spaced groups of round barrows). They were
constructed as a circular area of level ground defined by a bank and internal
ditch and largely occupied by a single low, squat mound covering one or more
burials, usually in a pit. The burials, either inhumations or cremations, are
sometimes accompanied by pottery vessels, tools and personal ornaments. Saucer
barrows are one of the rarest recognised forms of round barrow, with about 60
known examples nationally, most of which are in Wessex. The presence of grave
goods within the barrows provides important evidence for chronological and
cultural links amongst prehistoric communities over a wide area of southern
England as well as providing an insight into their beliefs and social
organisation. As a rare and fragile form of round barrow, all identified
saucer barrows would normally be considered to be of national importance.
Details
The monument consists of a saucer barrow located at the south-eastern end of
the summit of Spring Hill. It includes an oval earthen mound up to 0.5m high
with maximum dimensions of 20.5m by 17m. Surrounding the mound on all sides
except the south-east is a bank and ditch; the ditch is 1.7m wide and up to
0.3m deep, the bank measures 4.7m wide and is 0.3m high. The monument is not
known to have been excavated. A concrete post embedded in the mound is
included in the scheduling because its removal would cause disturbance to the
archaeological remains.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
22423
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
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
