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. The group of barrows on Wilton Moor are well preserved and their
archaeological deposits survive undisturbed. Evidence of the manner of
construction, and the nature and duration of use will be preserved within and
beneath the mound and within the ditch. Evidence relating to the Bronze Age
environment around the monument and of the wider landscape will also survive.
The importance of this monument is increased because of the survival of other
barrows in the immediate vicinity of similar and different form; such evidence
provides a clear indication of the variety of Bronze Age funerary monuments
and illustrates the extent of Bronze Age settlement and activity in the area.
Details
The monument includes three bowl barrows of Bronze Age date situated on flat
land with a southern aspect. The western barrow mound measures 17m in diameter
and survives to a height of 1m. There are signs of disturbance at the centre
of the mound, the result of partial excavation in the past. The second mound,
some 10m to the east measures 16m across and stands to a height of 1.2m; it
also shows evidence of slight central disturbance. Abutting the north-east
side of the barrow is a small barrow 8m in diameter and 70cm high. Each of the
barrow mounds is surrounded by a ditch dug to provide the material to build
the mound; although no longer visible at ground level these ditches survive as
buried features each measuring 2m across. MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.
It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features,
considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
20867
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals Vyner, B E, 'Yorkshire Archaeological Journal' in Bronze Age activity on the Eston Hills, Cleveland, (1991), 47 Vyner, B E, 'Yorkshire Archaeological Journal' in Bronze Age activity on the Eston Hills, Cleveland, (1991), 47Other No. 0528, No. 0529, No. 1324,
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.
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