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. Their ubiquity and their tendency to occupy
prominent locations makes them 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 organisation amongst early prehistoric communities. They are
particularly representative of their period and a substantial proportion
of surviving examples are considered worthy of protection.
Although this southernmost example in West Wood has been spread during
sylvicultural activities, it still retains considerable archaeological
potential because several areas such as the original ground surface
below the mound or the infilled ditches are likely to survive
undisturbed. These areas hold evidence of the manner and duration of use
of the monument and of the environment in which it was created. This
example is also one of a cluster of similar monuments in the locality
which demonstrate the importance of the area for burials in the Bronze
Age.
Details
The southernmost of the six similar examples in West Wood, the monument
includes a bowl barrow which comprises an earthen mound and an
encircling ditch. The mound is relatively low, surviving to a height of
only 0.4m, and measures some 16m in diameter. The surrounding ditch has
been completely infilled by erosion of the mound and is not visible on
the ground surface. The mound and ditch together have a diameter of
20m.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
12815
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
