Three round barrows 60m north of Burton Howe

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.

Despite limited disturbance these barrows have survived well. Part excavation has confirmed that archaeological remains survive well. Significant information about the original form of the barrows and the burials placed within them will be preserved. Evidence of earlier land use will survive beneath the barrow mounds. Together with other barrows in the vicinity these barrows are also thought to have represented territorial markers. Similar groups of monuments are also known elsewhere in the west and central areas of the North York Moors, providing important insight into burial practice. Such groupings of monuments offer important scope for the study of the division of land for social, ritual and agricultural purposes in different geographical areas during the prehistoric period.

Details

The monument includes a group of three round barrows situated in a prominent position on the north of the North York Moors. The barrows are 30m apart and aligned south west to north east. They each have a round turf and stone mound. The south west barrow has a mound standing 1m high and 13m in diameter. The central barrow has a mound 0.8m high and 9m in diameter. The northern barrow mound is 1m high and 15m in diameter. The barrows were partly excavated by R S Close in 1956. The south west mound was found to be constructed with a central cairn of boulders and stones covered with layers of turf. Remains of a cremation burial and fragments of pottery were found within the mound. The central barrow was found to be defined by a stone wall two-three courses high and up to 0.9m thick surrounding and partly retaining a mound of stone and layers of turf. Within the mound a square stone cist or coffin containing remains of a human cremation and fragments of pottery was found. The whole of this was covered with stones and layers of turf. The north east barrow was found to be constructed of a turf mound surrounded by a circular kerb of upright stones set at intervals with layers of turf covering the whole. No ditches were recorded surrounding the barrow mounds and it is thought that the construction material was collected from loose stone and turf in the vicinity. The south west barrow has been partly disturbed on the west side by the extraction of material for road building. There are many similar barrows in this area of the North York Moors. Many are part of groups particularly along the watersheds or other prominent locations, which indicates that the barrows, as well as being funerary monuments, also represent territorial markers defining divisions in land. These divisions still remain as some parish or township boundaries.

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:

28231

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Smith, M J B, Excavated Bronze Age Burial Mounds of Durham and N' land., (1994), 6, 55
Smith, M J B, Excavated Bronze Age Burial Mounds of Durham and N' land., (1994), 6,55
Smith, M J B, Excavated Bronze Age Burial Mounds of Durham and N' land., (1994), 55
Spratt, D A, Prehistoric and Roman Archaeology in North East Yorkshire in Prehistoric and Roman Archaeology of North East Yorkshire, Vol. BAR 104, (1993), 116-122

End of official list entry

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