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.
Bowl barrows are the most numerous form of round barrow and comprise
hemispherical, sometimes ditched earthen or rubble mounds covering single or
multiple burials. Most examples were constructed during the Early Bronze Age,
between 2400-1500BC. There are over 10,000 surviving bowl barrows recorded
nationally (many more have been destroyed), occurring across most of lowland
Britain.
Despite some disturbance by tree roots, the bowl barrow 950m south west of
Grey Friars Farm survives comparatively well, and will contain archaeological
remains and environmental evidence relating to the cemetery and the landscape
in which it was constructed. The barrow forms part of a group of broadly
contemporary monuments situated on this part of the ridge, providing important
evidence for the relationship between burial practices, settlement and land
division in this area of downland during the later prehistoric period.
Details
The monument includes a bowl barrow situated on a chalk ridge which forms part
of the Sussex Downs. The barrow is part of a group of 13 constructed along
this part of the ridge, forming a dispersed, linear round barrow cemetery.
The barrow has a circular mound approximately 9m in diameter and up to 0.4m
high, surrounded by a ditch from which material used to construct the barrow
was excavated. This has become infilled over the years, but survives as a
buried feature about 2m wide.
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.