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 of Bronze Age date, comprising
not only the shallow circular ditch and the low dome-shaped mound
within it, but also an area around the ditch in which slight traces of
an encircling bank can be seen in favourable lighting conditions.
The whole barrow measures 11m in diameter, this being made up of an
encircling bank of 1m width and a ditch 0.25-0.30m deep leading into
the low dome 8m across which rises barely 0.10m above the level of the
surrounding land. The slight dimple in the top of the dome suggests
that antiquarian excavators have investigated the monument.
The monument lies close to an earlier oval barrow and a broadly
contemporary bowl barrow.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
12801
Legacy System:
RSM
End of official list entry
