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
This monument includes two bowl barrows, aligned broadly east-west, 250m north
of Natson Farm, Bow and 140m south east of the River Yeo in a low lying field
occupying a slightly raised spur of land. This monument forms part of a
complex of ritual and funerary monuments centred around the village of Bow.
The area is also associated with the placename `Nymett' which is thought to
have sacred Celtic significance.
The eastern barrow survives as a circular mound which measures 20m in
diameter and is 1.3m high. The ditch from which material was quarried to
construct the mound, surrounds it and is preserved as a buried feature which
is clearly visible on aerial photographs. A flint blade and fragment were
collected during the fieldwalking of this area in 1991.
Forty metres to the west lies a second sub-circular barrow which aerial
photographs indicate to have an internal feature and 30m diameter quarry ditch
all of which are preserved as buried features.
Many of the other funerary and ritual monuments in the area are the subject of
separate schedulings.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
28638
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
