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.
Details
This monument includes a bowl barrow and ring ditch situated in a prominent
location on a south east facing ridge overlooking the valley of Huntacott
Water. These features form part of a round barrow cemetery which includes at
least six additional barrows. The barrow survives as a circular mound which
measures 21.8m in diameter and 0.6m high. Aerial reconnaissance has revealed
the presence of a double ditch surrounding the mound, giving an overall
diameter of 30m. These ditches are preserved as buried features.
The ring ditch lies 20m to the north west of the barrow and survives as a
15m diameter circular quarry ditch from which material to build a barrow was
derived. The central mound is no longer visible.
Two other barrows survive to the west and a further three to the east and
these are the subject of separate schedulings.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
28630
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
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
