Reasons for Designation
Bell barrows, the most visually impressive form of round barrow, are funerary
monuments dating to the Early and Middle Bronze Age, with most examples
belonging to the period 1500-1100 BC. They occur either in isolation or in
round barrow cemeteries and were constructed as single or multiple mounds
covering burials, often in pits, and surrounded by an enclosure ditch. The
burials are frequently accompanied by weapons, personal ornaments and pottery
and appear to be those of aristocratic individuals, usually men. Bell barrows
(particularly multiple barrows) are rare nationally, with less than 250 known
examples, most of which are in Wessex. Their richness in terms of grave goods
provides evidence for chronological and cultural links amongst early
prehistoric communities over most of southern and eastern England as well as
providing an insight into their beliefs and social organisation. As a
particularly rare form of round barrow, all identified bell barrows would
normally be considered to be of national importance.
Details
The monument includes a bell barrow set on level ground 1km south of the River
Wylye. The monument was largely excavated in 1964 although parts of the mound
as well as much of the berm and most of the ditch remain intact. The barrow
mound, now visible as a low rise, was originally 30m in diameter and stood to
a height of 2.75m. Excavation produced an open grave with wooden coffin
underlying a heaped turf mound. Finds included a bronze dagger, cup and
pottery food vessel. Surrounding the mound were a level berm and outer ditch
from which material was quarried during construction of the monument. The
berm was 4m across and the ditch 2.74m wide and 1.2m deep. Excavation of four
narrow ditch sections demonstrated that it had smooth sides while the ditch
fill suggested it had been waterlogged in the past.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
12347
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals
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
