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 group of three bowl barrows aligned broadly east-west
and situated on the east end of West Hill with views to the east over the town
of Corfe Castle and to the north over Poole Harbour.
The western barrow mound measures 25m east-west by 20.4m north-south and
is 1.5m high. The central barrow mound is 0.5m high and 16m across, and the
eastern barrow mound 1m high, and 27m east-west by 22m north-south.
Surrounding each mound is a ditch from which material was quarried during its
construction. These can no longer be seen at ground level, having become
infilled over the years, but survive as buried features. The ditches of the
eastern and western barrows are c.4m wide, and that of the centre barrow is
c.3m wide.
The most westerly barrow is flattened and slightly hollowed which indicates an
unrecorded antiquarian excavation.
The post and wire fence which crosses the area is excluded from the scheduling
but the ground beneath is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
21969
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
