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 damage by tree roots and burrowing animals, the bowl barrows in Hinton
Bushes are comparatively well preserved examples of their class. Part of a
group of four, in a prominent position, they will contain archaeological
remains, providing information about Bronze Age burial practices, economy and
environment.
Details
The monument includes two bowl barrows, aligned approximately north west-south
east, part of a group of four barrows on the top of a chalk ridge in Hinton
Bushes, 850m north of Pimperne Long Barrow. The northern barrow has a mound
which is c.8m in diameter and 0.65m high, although a diameter of 30ft (c.10m)
and a height of 1m were recorded in 1972. The ditch surrounding the mound is
no longer visible but will survive as a buried feature c.2m wide. The southern
barrow has a mound which is 18m in diameter and 1m high, although in 1972 a
diameter of 60ft (c.20m) and a well marked ditch 10ft (c.3m) wide were also
recorded. An outer bank, estimated to have been 2m wide and best preserved on
the western side was also recorded. Neither of these features is now visible
although the ditch will survive as a buried feature. The archaeologically
sensitive area between the barrows is included in the scheduling. All fence
posts are excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath these
features 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.
