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.
Details
The monument includes a bowl barrow situated on a low natural rise, occurring
along the eastern periphery of East Holme Plain, a heathland area of the Isle
of Purbeck. The barrow is one of four known within the area.
The barrow has a mound composed of earth, sand and turf, with a maximum
diameter of 20m and a maximum height of c.1.5m. This is surrounded by a ditch
from which material was quarried during the construction of the monument. The
ditch is no longer visible, as it has become infilled over the years, but it
will survive as a buried feature c.2m wide.
The barrow forms the boundary of four parishes and its name is thought to
derive from the historic juncture of three manorial estates.
Excluded from the scheduling are all fence posts relating to the modern field
boundaries, although the underlying ground is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
28327
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals Other
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.
End of official list entry
