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 a round barrow situated in a prominent position on the
eastern edge of Murton Common plateau overlooking Sledhill Gill. The barrow
has a well defined, flat-topped earth and stone mound standing 1.2m high. The
mound is round in shape and 16m in diameter, although slightly distorted by
ploughing on the east side. The centre of the mound has been dug into in the
past and two vertical stones, all that remain of the cist, are partly exposed
at the bottom of the hole. This mound was surrounded by a ditch up to 3m wide
which has become filled in over the years and is no longer visible as an
earthwork. It is one of many similar barrows in this area of the Hambleton
Hills. Many of these lie in closely associated groups, particularly along the
watersheds. They provide evidence of territorial organisation marking the
division of land, some of which remain as parish or township boundaries.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
24453
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
