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 bowl barrow situated on the north western slope of a
chalk hill which forms part of the Sussex Downs, around 1km north east of
Cuckmere Haven. The barrow has a circular mound approximately 28m in diameter
and up to 1.5m high. A central hollow suggests that the barrow underwent
antiquarian excavation during the 18th or early 19th century. Surrounding
the mound is a ditch from which material used to construct the barrow was
excavated. This has become infilled over the years but will survive as a below
ground feature up to 2m wide.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
31419
Legacy System:
RSM
End of official list entry
