Bowl barrow 900m SSW of Nettleden Lodge

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.

The bowl barrow 900m SSW of Nettleden Lodge survives well. The mound will contain funerary remains together with other artifacts and structural evidence, which will provide details concerning the date of the barrow's construction, the duration of its use and the character of prehistoric ritual practice. The former ground surface beneath the mound may retain valuable evidence for activities preceding its construction, and environmental evidence preserved here will provide insights into the appearance of the landscape in which the monument was set. Comparision with other barrows located in the immediate vicinity and more widely across the Chiltern Hills will provide valuable information concerning variation and development of prehistoric burial practices, and will make a significant contribution to our understanding of prehistoric land use and settlement patterns in the region.

Details

The monument includes a Bronze Age bowl barrow located in Great Frithsden Copse, 900m SSW of Nettleden Lodge. It occupies an elevated position on a broad ridge in the Chiltern Hills to the north of the Bulbourne Valley, and to the south of the upper valley of the River Gade. The barrow was discovered by the National Trust during a recent archaeological survey of the Ashridge Estate (which covers much of the spur) and adjacent areas within the upper Bulbourne Valley. There are no prior records of the monument and its appearance suggests it has not been disturbed by antiquarian excavation. The barrow mound is roughly circular in plan and domed in profile, measuring approximately 10m in diameter and 0.5m high. In the absence of any evidence for a surrounding quarry ditch, the mound is thought to have been of `scraped construction', using turf and earth gathered from its surroundings. A second barrow, similar in appearance, lies c.40m to the south west east (SM 27183) and two further barrows lie approximately 4km to the north west.

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:

27184

Legacy System:

RSM

End of official list entry

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