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. Bowl barrows are the most numerous form of round barrow and date from the Late
Neolithic period to the Late Bronze Age. Most examples were constructed in the
period 2400-1500 BC. They occur across most of lowland Britain and, although
superficially similar in appearance, exhibit regional variations of form and a
diversity of burial practices.
The pair of bowl barrows situated towards the western end of Western Brow
prehistoric round barrow cemetery survive comparatively well and will contain
archaeological and environmental evidence relating to the period in which they
were constructed and used.
Details
The monument includes a pair of north east-south west aligned bowl barrows
situated towards the western end of a linear round barrow cemetery which runs
from west to east along a ridge of the Sussex Downs. The larger of the two
barrows lies to the south west and has a mound c.10m in diameter and c.0.5m
high, surrounded by a ditch from which material used to construct the barrow
was excavated. This has become infilled over the years, but survives as a
buried feature c.2m wide.
Lying around 3m to the north east, beyond the South Downs Way long distance
footpath which runs along the ridge at this point, the smaller barrow has a
low, circular mound c.8m in diameter and c.0.3m high. This is surrounded by a
buried quarry ditch c.2m wide.
The modern fence which crosses the southern edge of the monument is excluded
from the scheduling, although the ground beneath it 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.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
27053
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Other source 2, RCHME, TQ 31 SW 23, (1934)
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.
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