Reasons for Designation
The Flower Down barrows contain examples of both disc and bowl barrows.
The disc barrow, once described as `the finest disc barrow in Hampshire', is
an exceptionally well preserved example of the most fragile type of round
barrow. Disc barrows are funerary monuments of the Early Bronze Age, with most
examples dating to the period 1400-1200BC. They were constructed as a
circular or oval area of level ground defined by a bank and internal ditch and
containing one or more central or eccentrically located small, low mounds,
covering burials, usually in pits. The burials, normally cremations, are
frequently accompanied by pottery vessels, tools and personal ornaments. It
has been suggested that disc barrows were normally used for the burial of
women, although this remains unproven. However, it is likely that the
individuals buried were of high status. Disc barrows are rare nationally with
about 250 examples known, many from Wessex. Their richness in terms of grave
goods provides important evidence for chronological and cultural links amongst
prehistoric communities over a wide area of southern England. All examples
are considered worthy of protection.
Bowl barrows, of which the Flowers Down barrows contain two examples of
greatly differing scale, are the most numerous form of round barrow with over
10,000 examples recorded nationally (many more have already been destroyed),
occuring over most of lowland Britain. They are funerary monuments dating
from the Late Neolithic period to the Late Bronze Age, with most examples
belonging to the period 2400-1500BC. Bowl barrows were constructed as mounds
of earth or rubble, sometimes with a surrounding ditch, and which covered
single or multiple burials. They occur either in isolation or, as with this
monument, associated with barrows of differing type. Often occupying prominent
locations, they are a major historic element in the modern landscape and a
substantial proportion of surviving examples are considered worthy of
preservation.
Despite evidence for some disturbance of two of the three barrows, the
Flowers Down Barrows will provide evidence of funerary practices which may
span several centuries within the Early Bronze Age. Their construction and use
provides information concerning the diversity of beliefs and social
organisation amongst early prehistoric communities while their structure will
preserve evidence of both past environment and economy.
Details
The monument includes a disc barrow and two bowl barrows, burial sites of
Bronze Age date, aligned broadly north east-south west and situated on the
crest of a ridge. The disc barrow, which is at the north east of the monument,
has a circular flat platform 28m in diameter, on which lie two low circular
mounds. The central mound is 7m in diameter, 0.4m high and has a 2.5m diameter
central hollow. The second mound, which lies to the south west of centre, is
6m in diameter and 0.3m high. The platform on which the mounds lie is bounded
by a continuous circular ditch 7m wide and 0.6m deep with an external bank
6.5m wide and 0.7m high.
The larger of the two bowl barrows is on the south west side of the monument.
It has a circular mound, 20m in diameter and 1m high, with a central hollow
4.5m in diameter and 0.4m deep.
The smaller bowl barrow abuts the outer edge of the disc barrow bank and has
a low, roughly circular mound 8m in diameter and 0.3m high.
Although both the disc and the larger bowl barrow show signs of past
investigation in the form of disturbance to their central areas, there are no
records of excavation.
The monument is the Guardianship of the Secretary of State.
Excluded from the scheduling are all fence posts, although the ground beneath
these features is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
26702
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
