Reasons for Designation
Bell barrows, the most visually impressive form of round barrow, are funerary
monuments dating to the Early and Middle Bronze Age, with most examples
belonging to the period 1500-1100 BC. They occur either in isolation or in
round barrow cemeteries and were constructed as single or multiple mounds
covering burials, often in pits, and surrounded by an enclosure ditch. The
burials are frequently accompanied by weapons, personal ornaments and pottery
and appear to be those of aristocratic individuals, usually men. Bell barrows
(particularly multiple barrows) are rare nationally, with less than 250 known
examples, most of which are in Wessex. Their richness in terms of grave goods
provides evidence for chronological and cultural links amongst early
prehistoric communities over most of southern and eastern England as well as
providing an insight into their beliefs and social organisation. As a
particularly rare form of round barrow, all identified bell barrows would
normally be considered to be of national importance.
Details
The monument includes a bell barrow situated on level ground near the western
edge of the Good Sands upland region of north west Norfolk. The barrow stands
500m west of Peddars Way and is the northernmost of a dispersed group of round
barrows aligned on a north west to south east axis over a distance of c.2.6km.
It is visible as a sub-circular earthen mound surrounded by a berm and
ditch and a low external bank, and has an overall diameter of c.66m. The mound
at the centre stands to a height of c.1.3m and covers an area with a maximum
diameter of c.27m north east to south west by c.17m north west to south east,
having been partly levelled on the south east side. Where the mound is intact,
on the north west side, the surrounding berm is c.1.5m wide, and on the south
east side, the distance between the foot of the mound and the inner edge of
the ditch is c.9m. The ditch, from which earth was dug and used in the
construction of the barrow, has become partly infilled and measures c.10m in
width and up to 0.7m deep, although shallower to the south east. The bank
which encircles the whole is c.0.25m high and has an average width of c.8m.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
21384
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
