Reasons for Designation
Round barrow cemeteries date to the Bronze Age (c.2000-700 BC). They comprise
closely-spaced groups of up to 30 round barrows - rubble or earthen mounds
covering single or multiple burials. Most cemeteries developed over a
considerable period of time, often many centuries, and in some cases acted as
a focus for burials as late as the early medieval period. They exhibit
considerable diversity of burial rite, plan and form, frequently including
several different types of round barrow, occasionally associated with earlier
long barrows. Where large scale investigation has been undertaken around them,
contemporary or later "flat" burials between the barrow mounds have often been
revealed. Round barrow cemeteries occur across most of lowland Britain, with a
marked concentration in Wessex. In some cases, they are clustered around other
important contemporary monuments such as henges. Often occupying prominent
locations, they are a major historic element in the modern landscape, whilst
their diversity and their longevity as a monument type provide important
information on the variety of beliefs and social organisation amongst early
prehistoric communities. They are particularly representative of their period
and a substantial proportion of surviving or partly-surviving examples are
considered worthy of protection.
The three bowl barrows 250m west of the Andover Lodge in Cholderton Park are
well preserved examples of their class. The barrows exhibit a largely original
profile with, in each case, a pronounced ditch surrounding the substantial
mound. All three barrows will contain archaeological remains providing
information about Bronze Age burial practices, economy and environment.
Details
The monument includes three large ditched Bronze Age bowl barrows, part of a
cemetery containing at least 12 round barrows which lie on level ground
close to the Andover Lodge of Cholderton Park. Each of the three barrows has a
mound, surrounded by a ditch from which material was quarried during its
construction.
The most northerly of the barrows is 26m in diameter and 1.8m high, with a
ditch 5m wide and 0.4m deep. The western barrow is 26m in diameter and 1.7m
high, with a ditch 7m wide and 0.5m deep, and the eastern is 29m in diameter
and 1.8m high, with a ditch 5m wide and 0.5m deep.
Excluded from the scheduling are all fence posts, although the ground beneath
them is included.
MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.
It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features,
considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.
