Reasons for Designation
Bowl barrows, the most numerous form of round barrow, are funerary monuments
dating from the Late Neolithic period to the Late Bronze Age, with most
examples belonging to the period 2400-1500 BC. They were constructed as
earthen or rubble mounds, sometimes ditched, which covered single or multiple
burials. They occur either in isolation or grouped as cemeteries and often
acted as a focus for burials in later periods. Often superficially similar,
although differing widely in size, they exhibit regional variations in form
and a diversity of burial practices. There are over 10,000 surviving bowl
barrows recorded nationally (many more have already been destroyed), occurring
across most of lowland Britain. Often occupying prominent locations, they are
a major historic element in the modern landscape and their considerable
variation of form and longevity as a monument type provide important
information on the diversity of beliefs and social organisations amongst early
prehistoric communities. They are particularly representative of their period
and a substantial proportion of surviving examples are considered worthy of
protection.
Details
This monument includes two adjoining bowl barrows situated on a south facing
slope overlooking White Moor Bottom. The northern barrow mound, which was
partially excavated between 1952 and 1956, measures 6.4m in diameter and 0.9m
high. It was constructed of turves covered by gravel and clay upcast from the
surrounding ditch. Four Bronze Age pots each containing a cremation burial
were found resting on the old land surface. Although no longer visible at
ground level, the quarry ditch surrounding the mound is 0.76m wide and 0.4m
deep and has two opposed causeways on the north-east and south-west sides.
The southern barrow mound measures 7.5m in diameter and stands up to 0.9m
high. A slight hollow in the centre of the mound suggests previous robbing or
partial excavation. The quarry ditch surrounding the mound has become
infilled over the years, but excavation of the northern barrow revealed that
the two ditches joined. A sherd of Bronze Age pottery was found in this
barrow in 1938.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
20275
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals 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
