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
The monument includes Wetton Low bowl barrow located on a ridge crest at the
eastern end of a local high point. It survives as a somewhat mutilated oval
mound up to 1.6m high with maximum dimensions of 22m by 18m. At the centre of
the barrow is the site of an old limekiln represented by an oval hollow
measuring some 8m by 5m and up to 1m deep. An Ordinance Survey triangulation
pillar has been erected on the barrow to the east of the disturbed central
area. Limited antiquarian investigation of the barrow's centre, in the sides
of the limekiln hollow, located 2 cists - one containing a contracted
inhumation of a young person, the other containing a cremation. A second
inhumation and a rock cut grave containing a third inhumation were also
discovered. Additionally flints and an urn sherd were found in the trench.
Recent chance finds on the barrow's eroded surface around the base of the
triangulation pillar consisted of 12 flints.
The triangulation pillar is excluded from the scheduling although the ground
beneath it is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
13543
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
