Bowl barrow on Iken Heath, 620m north of Fazeboons

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.

Although the barrow 620m north of Fazeboons has been damaged by ploughing, the monument retains important evidence concerning the date and manner of its use, and also the local environment at and prior to the time of its construction. It is one of several which survive in and immediately around Tunstall Forest and which together provide information concerning the use of the area during the Bronze Age.

Details

The monument includes a bowl barrow situated above a gentle, north-facing slope overlooking the estuary of the River Alde. It is visible as a low earthen mound, reduced and spread by ploughing, measuring c.0.3m in height and covering a circular area c.30m in diameter.

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:

21274

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
Robertson-Mackay, R, AM7, (1959)

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