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, which lies within three areas of protection, includes the
remains of four bowl barrows, which lie to the north of Mere on a chalk ridge
known as Long Hill, 220m west of Mere Castle.
The barrows range in diameter from 8m to 10m and survive up to 1.7m in height.
Each is surrounded by a quarry ditch from which material to construct its
mound was derived. These ditches have become infilled over the years, but will
survive as buried features approximately 2m wide. Two of the barrows are
located in a prominent position on the crest of the hill, while two are more
unusually sited at the base of the southern slope, a third slightly irregular
mound at the base of the hill cannot be positively identified as an additional
barrow and has not been included in the scheduling.
All fence posts are excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath
them is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
32611
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
