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 Bronze Age bowl barrow situated 400m east of Gospel
Oak on a gentle south-facing slope. Although originally 26m across, the barrow
has been reduced by cultivation and now appears as a visible earthwork 22m
across and 0.5m high. The eastern edge of the mound is marked by a
concentration of stone in the plough soil. Surrounding the mound is a quarry
ditch from which material was obtained during its construction. This ditch has
become infilled over the years but will survive as a buried feature c.2m wide.
Over the years, flint tools have been found in the plough soil around the
barrow. To the west of the mound Roman artefacts, including a bronze eagle,
have also been found after ploughing.
Excluded from the scheduling is the surface of the track running across the
western edge of the monument, although the land beneath is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
21770
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
