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 a bowl barrow, part of Fitzhall Heath round barrow
cemetery, situated on a ridge in the Greensand 3.5km north of the South Downs.
The complete cemetery consists of 8 bowl barrows orientated east-west. Those
to the east of the cemetery are closely spaced while those to the west are
more dispersed. All the barrows survive as earthworks and have mounds ranging
in size from 12m to 26m in diameter and 0.25m to 2.5m high. This barrow is to
the west of the group and has a mound which measures 25m in diameter and 2.2m
high. Surrounding this is a ditch from which material was quarried during the
construction of the monument. This has become partly infilled over the years
and now survives as a slight earthwork 4m wide 0.1m deep. Beyond this is a
slight rise 4m wide believed to be the remains of an outer bank.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
20043
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
