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 three round barrows situated in a prominent position on
the north edge of the North York Moors.
The barrows lie in line north to south and are 50m apart. All the barrows have
a round shaped earth and stone mound, and each was originally surrounded by a
kerb of stones which defined the barrow and supported the mound. However, over
time some stones have disappeared or have been buried by soil slipping from
the mounds. The northern barrow mound is 14m in diameter and 0.4m high with
kerb stones visible on the south side. The central mound is 9m in diameter and
1m high with a kerb of large stones surrounding the mound on the west and
south sides. The southern mound is 10m in diameter and up to 0.5m high. Kerb
stones were recorded around the mound in 1977. The centre of the southern
barrow mound has been substantially excavated to house modern shelters, now
demolished.
The barrows lie in an area rich in prehistoric monuments, including further
barrows, field systems and clearance cairns.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
28261
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
