Disc barrow 610m northeast of Drove Cottage

Reasons for Designation

Disc barrows, the most fragile type of round barrow, are funerary monuments of the Early Bronze Age, with most examples dating to the period 1400-1200 BC. They occur either in isolation or in barrow cemeteries (closely-spaced groups of round barrows). Disc barrows were constructed as a circular or oval area of level ground defined by a bank and internal ditch and containing one or more centrally or eccentrically located small, low mounds covering burials, usually in pits. The burials, normally cremations, are frequently accompanied by pottery vessels, tools and personal ornaments. It has been suggested that disc barrows were normally used for the burial of women, although this remains unproven. However, it is likely that the individuals buried were of high status. Disc barrows are rare nationally, with about 250 known examples, most of which are in Wessex. Their richness in terms of grave goods 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 particularly rare and fragile form of round barrow, all identified disc barrows would normally be considered to be of national importance.

The disc barrow 610m northeast of Drove Cottage survives comparatively well despite an area of localised disturbance caused by quarrying. It will contain archaeological and environmental evidence relating both to the monument and the landscape in which it was constructed.

The importance of the monument is enhanced by its location in an area which supports a concentration of contemporary burial monuments, thus giving an indication of the nature and scale of human occupation during the Bronze Age period.

Details

The monument consists of a disc barrow located on level ground 610m northeast of Drove Cottage. It includes a barrow mound 18m in diameter and 1.25m high at its highest point. A level berm 7m wide surrounds the mound and separates the barrow from a ditch 3.5m wide and 0.75m deep. An outer bank 3.5m wide and 0.5m high at its highest point surrounds the ditch. Former quarrying in the area has disturbed the ditch and bank on the eastern side and there is further quarrying on the northern edge of the monument.

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:

13840

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Barnes, E E, Wells AR in Barrows of the Neighbourhood, Vol. Vol 23, (1911)
Grinsell, L V, Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological & Nat Hist Society in Rare Types Of Round Barrow, Vol. Vol 85, (1939)
Tratman, EK, Proceedings of the Univ of Bristol Speleological Society in Proceedings of the University of Bristol Speleological Society, Vol. Vol 3(1), (1927)
Grinsell, L, Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeology and Natural Hist Soc in Somerset Barrows Part II, Vol. Vol 115, (1971)

Other
Darvill, T., Fancy Barrows, 1989, Monument Class Descrpt. (Pag 6)

End of official list entry

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