Reasons for Designation
A hlaew is a burial monument of Anglo-Saxon or Viking date and comprising a
hemispherical mound of earth and redeposited bedrock constructed over a
primary burial or burials. These were usually inhumations, buried in a grave
cut into the subsoil beneath the mound, but cremations placed on the old
ground surface beneath the mound have also been found. Hlaews may occur
in pairs or in small groups; a few have accompanying flat graves. Constructed
during the pagan Saxon and Viking periods for individuals of high rank, they
served as visible and ostentatious markers of their social position. Some
were associated with territorial claims and appear to have been specifically
located to mark boundaries. They often contain objects which give information
on the range of technological skill and trading contacts of the period. Only
between 50 and 60 hlaews have been positively identified in England. As a
rare monument class all positively identified examples are considered worthy
of preservation.
Details
The monument includes an Anglo-Saxon burial mound or `hlaew', situated on
the northern edge of the graveyard at Over Worton. The site occupies a hill
with gentle slopes to the north and east and a steeper slope to the west.
The monument includes a flat topped conical mound made of earth and stone. The
mound measures 18m in diameter and stands up to 2m high. Surrounding the mound
is a quarry ditch from which material was obtained during its construction.
This has become partially infilled over time but remains visible at ground
level as a shallow feature 2m wide and c.0.3m deep. The ditch has become
obscured by leaf litter on the eastern side of the mound but will survive as a
buried feature.
The barrow and the nearby church lie at the centre of an extensive medieval
field system, much of which is visible as earthworks.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
21810
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
