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.
Despite some disturbance from tree growth on the top of the mound, the barrow
230m north west of Camp Farm survives well. The barrow mound will contain
evidence for primary and secondary burials, along with grave goods, which will
provide information about the nature of prehistoric burial rituals. It will
also preserve part of the original ground surface, predating the construction
of the barrow. The mound and its surrounding ditch will also contain
environmental evidence in the form of organic remains, which will relate both
to the barrow and the landscape within which it was constructed.
Details
The monument includes a round barrow set on a south east facing slope, 230m to
the north west of Camp Farm. The barrow mound, which is slightly oval,
measures 14m north-south, 10m east-west and is between 1.6m and 1.7m high. The
mound is surrounded by a ditch which has become infilled over the years and is
no longer visible at ground level. It will, however, survive as a buried
feature about 3m 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.