Reasons for Designation
The most complete and extensive survival of chalk downland archaeological
remains in central southern England occurs on Salisbury Plain, particularly in
those areas lying within the Salisbury Plain Training Area. These remains
represent one of the few extant archaeological "landscapes" in Britain and are
considered to be of special significance because they differ in character from
those in other areas with comparable levels of preservation. Individual sites
on Salisbury Plain are seen as being additionally important because the
evidence of their direct association with each other survives so well. Some
470 round barrows, funerary monuments dating to the Late Neolithic and Early
Bronze Age, are known to have existed in the Salisbury Plain Training Area,
many grouped together as cemeteries. The total includes some 70 barrows of
rare types. Such is the quality of the survival of the archaeological
landscape, over 300 of these barrows have been identified as nationally
important.
Details
The eight barrows within this scheduled area are false crested along
the southern side of Silk Hill's summit. They form an approximate line
with other barrows to the west and south-east. They are exceptionally
well preserved.
1 - A ditched bowl barrow, c.34m overall diameter. The ditch is connected to
that of an adjacent barrow. (SU18964693)
2 - A ditched bowl barrow, c.31m overall diameter. The ditch is cut by the
ditches of adjacent barrows. (SU18954691)
3 - A ditched bowl barrow, c.42m overall diameter. The ditch cuts/connects
with that of an adjacent barrow. (SU18994690)
4 - A bowl barrow with a ditch 4m wide and an overall diameter of c.48m.
Partial excavation in the 19th century revealed a primary cremation with a
bronze dagger, two whetstones and a pin. It also left a deep hole in the top.
(SU19034690)
5 - A ditched bowl barrow, c.42m overall diameter. The ditch is probably
overlain by the bank of an adjacent barrow. (SU19134687)
6 - A ditched bowl barrow, 17m overall diameter. This barrow is now only just
visible. It has been ploughed in the past. (SU19174687)
7 - A disc or saucer barrow: there is no mound but a central platform, ditch
and outer bank. The overall diameter is c.40m. Partial excavation in the 19th
century revealed a primary cremation off centre. (SU19104689)
8 - A pond barrow, 28m overall diameter. The north-east corner connects with
the ditch of an adjacent barrow. Partial excavation in the 19th century
revealed a collared urn with a cremation and bone ornament, flint and iron
pyrites. (SU19074687)
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
10148
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
