Reasons for Designation
Round barrow cemeteries date to the Bronze Age (c.2000-700 BC). They comprise
closely-spaced groups of up to 30 round barrows - rubble or earthen mounds
covering single or multiple burials. Most cemeteries developed over a
considerable period of time, often many centuries, and in some cases acted as
a focus for burials as late as the early medieval period. They exhibit
considerable diversity of burial rite, plan and form, frequently including
several different types of round barrow, occasionally associated with earlier
long barrows. Where large scale investigation has been undertaken around them,
contemporary or later "flat" burials between the barrow mounds have often been
revealed. Round barrow cemeteries occur across most of lowland Britain, with a
marked concentration in Wessex. In some cases, they are clustered around other
important contemporary monuments such as henges. Often occupying prominent
locations, they are a major historic element in the modern landscape, whilst
their diversity and their longevity as a monument type provide important
information on the variety of beliefs and social organisation amongst early
prehistoric communities. They are particularly representative of their period
and a substantial proportion of surviving or partly-surviving examples are
considered worthy of protection.
Details
This monument, which falls into three separate areas, is situated on a
prominent ridge known as Berry Hill overlooking the valley of the River Bray.
The monument survives as five circular mounds of varying size arranged as two
pairs with one single outlier. All have approximately 2m wide surrounding
quarry ditches from which material to construct the mounds was derived; in all
cases these are preserved as buried features. The northernmost pair of barrows
are the most prominent. Of these, the northern mound measures 17.4m in
diameter and 0.9m high, while the southern mound is 16m in diameter and 0.6m
high. This mound is crossed by a stone built, slightly ditched field boundary
on its western side. Of the westernmost pair of barrows, the eastern barrow
lies on the summit of the hill and measures 14.4m in diameter and 0.3m high;
the western barrow is 16.2m in diameter and 0.4m high. The final barrow is the
single outlier which is the southernmost of the whole group. This measures
15.8m in diameter and 0.3m high. This is crossed on its northern side by a
slightly ditched stone built field boundary.
All field boundaries which cross the barrows 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:
32235
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
