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
This monument includes a bowl barrow situated in a high upland location known
as Easter New Moor overlooking the valley of a tributary to the River Yeo.
The monument survives as a circular mound which measures 34.2m in diameter and
is 0.7m high. The surrounding quarry ditch from which material to construct
the mound was derived is preserved as a buried feature, which measures
approximately 4m wide. There are two central circular depressions which may
represent excavations, perhaps in antiquity. The western one is 4m in diameter
and up to 0.3m deep. The eastern one is 5m in diameter and 0.2m deep. Further
barrows which lie to the south west on the southern side of the A361 are the
subject of separate schedulings.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
32234
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Other
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
