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 bowl barrow situated c.350m west of Peddars Way, on
the high ground of what was formerly Massingham Heath. The barrow is visible
as an earthen mound with a flattened top, shelving slightly to the south,
standing to a height of c.1m and covering a sub circular area with a diameter
of c.25m east-west. North-south it measures c.17.5m, the southern edge
having been truncated by the road west to Gayton. The mound is believed to be
surrounded by a ditch from which earth was dug and used in the construction of
the barrow but which has become infilled, although it will survive as a buried
feature. Worked flints, including types dated to the later Neolithic period,
have been found on the mound and on the surface of the ploughsoil surrounding
it, and are evidence for occupation of the site prior to the construction of
the barrow.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
21392
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
