Two bowl barrows south of Haycroft, Huntshaw

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.

These two barrows have considerable potential for the preservation of environmental evidence both of a contemporary kind as well as of the pre-barrow surface. The ploughed area which lies between the barrows is very likely to be able to provide further significant information about their stratigraphic relationship.

Details

The monument consists of two adjacent bowl barrows, and of the ground lying between them. These barrows lie on the north of Darracott Moor, 370m south of Haycroft Farm, Huntshaw. The barrow to the west is 23m in diameter and 1.6m high, and the eastern barrow is 24m in diameter and 1.3m high. Both barrows are probably broader and lower than originally constructed as they have been affected by ploughing which also may have obscured any ditch around each barrow. The mounds were built mainly from clay and when partially excavated last century were found to contain charcoal, cremated remains and grave goods, and in particular the barrow to the east contained a bronze ogival dagger.

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.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

10501

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Doe, G, Trans Devonshire Assoc in The examination of two barrows near Torrington, Vol. 7, (1875), 102-105
Fowler, H, Trans Devonshire Assoc in On opening an Ancient British Barrow at Huntshaw, Vol. 2, (1867), 187-189
Grinsell, L V, Proc Devon Arch Soc in The Barrows of North Devon, Vol. 28, (1970), 119

Other
Title: (Also sketch OSA SS52SW1 DCC SMR) Source Date: Author: Publisher: Surveyor:

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