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 on Homington Down 725m south of Tottens Farm is, despite some
erosion of its overall profile, a well preserved example of its class. The
barrow will include archaeological remains containing information about Bronze
Age beliefs, economy and environment.
Details
The monument includes a large bowl barrow, lying on the north east facing
slope of Homington Down overlooking the valley of the River Ebble.
The barrow includes a mound which, due to cultivation of some of its margins,
is now oval in shape, measuring 25m north-south by 20m. The mound is
surrounded by a ditch from which material for its construction was quarried.
This has largely been infilled but is visible in places as a slight depression
and, where not visible on the surface, survives as a buried feature 3m wide.
All fence posts and electricity supply poles are excluded from the scheduling
although the ground beneath these features is included.
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.
