Reasons for Designation
Saucer barrows are funerary monuments of the Early Bronze Age, most examples
dating to between 1800 and l200 BC. They occur either in isolation or in
barrow cemeteries (closely-spaced groups of round barrows). They were
constructed as a circular area of level ground defined by a bank and internal
ditch and largely occupied by a single low, squat mound covering one or more
burials, usually in a pit. The burials, either inhumations or cremations, are
sometimes accompanied by pottery vessels, tools and personal ornaments. Saucer
barrows are one of the rarest recognised forms of round barrow, with about 60
known examples nationally, most of which are in Wessex. The presence of grave
goods within the barrows provides important evidence for chronological and
cultural links amongst prehistoric communities over a wide area of southern
England as well as providing an insight into their beliefs and social
organisation. As a rare and fragile form of round barrow, all identified
saucer barrows would normally be considered to be of national importance.
Details
The monument includes a saucer barrow which comprises a low central
mound with an encircling ditch which is in turn surrounded by a low bank
of earth. The central mound measures 18m in diameter and stands to 0.7m
above the level of the surrounding ground at its summit. The ditch that
defines the mound measures some 4m across and drops to only 0.3m below
the ground level, having been largely infilled by erosion from the mound
and the outer bank. It was earth from this ditch which was used to build
both the central low mound and the surrounding bank. Beyond the ditch is
the outer bank, 2m across and only 0.2m high. The overall diameter of
the monument is therefore some 30m.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
12821
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
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
