Reasons for Designation
Saucer barrows and platform barrows are funerary monuments of the Early Bronze
Age. They occur either in isolation or in barrow cemeteries (closely-spaced
groups of round barrows) and were constructed as circular ditches with slight
outer banks and a low mound in the interior. In the case of the saucer barrow
and the central mound took the form of a low dome, while in the case of the
platform barrow it formed a flat-topped raised area. The mounds covered one
or more burials, either inhumations or cremations, which were usually placed
in central pits and which were often accompanied by pottery vessels, tools and
personal ornaments. Saucer barrows are rare nationally, with only about 60
examples known, most of which are in Wessex. Platform barrows are rarer
still, fewer then 50 examples having been recorded nationally. They were
constructed as low, flat-topped mounds of earth surrounded by a shallow ditch.
None of the known examples stands higher then 1m above the general ground
level, and most are considerably lower than this. They occur across southern
Britain but show a marked concentration in East and West Sussex.
These types of barrow provide an insight into the diversity of beliefs and
social organisation in Bronze Age society. Due to their extreme rarity and
considerable fragility, all identified saucer and platform barrows are
normally be considered to be of national importance.
Details
The monument includes a pair of Bronze Age burial mounds -- a saucer barrow
and a platform barrow -- near the summit of Blackcap.
The more easterly of the pair measures 14m in total diameter. The central
mound, only 10-15cm above the level of the surrounding ground, is defined by a
shallow circular ditch to 0.30m in depth. The ditch is in turn encircled by a
bank 0.10m in height and 1.5m across. The form of this feature allows it to
be classified as a saucer barrow because of its similarity to an upturned
saucer.
Thirteen metres west of this example is the second feature, 15m in total
diameter, which has no outer bank but takes the form of a shallow ditch
surrounding a raised platform up to 0.20m above the surrounding ground level.
The ditch is just 0.15m deep and is most easily visible on the eastern and
south-western sides. The flat-topped central area allows this example to be
classified as a platform barrow.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
12798
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
