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 550m WNW of West End Barn, part of an
extensive group of at least 15 barrows and ring ditches on Lord's Down,
situated on a west facing slope below the summit of the hill.
The barrow has a mound which is c.25m in diameter and a maximum of 1m high.
Surrounding the mound is a quarry ditch from which material was excavated
during its construction. This has become infilled over the years but survives
as a buried feature c.3m wide. This barrow was probably excavated by Warne in
1882 when it was found to contain a primary cremation with a bronze ogival
dagger in a cist cut into the natural chalk. The cist was covered with a flint
cairn which also contained urn fragments.
All fence posts and the road surface where it falls within the barrow's
protective margin, are excluded from the scheduling although the ground
beneath these features is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
27400
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals
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
