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 a bowl barrow set on a prominent hill-top overlooking
the Wylye Valley. The barrow mound is 18m in diameter and stands to a height
of 1.5m. Surrounding the mound are a ditch, from which material was quarried
during the construction of the monument, and an outer bank. The ditch has
been partly infilled over the years but survives as a low earthwork 3m wide
and 0.3m deep, while the outer bank is 3m wide and 0.4m high. A hollow on the
centre of the mound represents the site of early exploration of the site by
Colt-Hoare. Partial excavation produced a stone cist or box containing a
cremation burial while higher in the mound were a collection of flat-headed
nails, a spear and sherds, possibly Romano-British in date.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
12295
Legacy System:
RSM
End of official list entry
