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. Although the bowl barrow to the north west of Shootinglodge Plantation has
been reduced in height and spread by ploughing the remains of the mound, the
soils buried beneath the mound and the fill of the buried ditch surrounding it
will retain archaeological information concerning its construction and the
manner and duration of its use, together with evidence for the local
environment. The proximity of the barrow to a number of other barrows in this
part of the Breckland region give it additional interest. Together these
barrows give some evidence of the character, development and density of the
prehistoric population in this area.
Details
The monument, which includes a bowl barrow, is located immediately to the
north west of Shootinglodge Plantation. The barrow is visible as a low
earthen mound, which stands to a height of approximately 0.2m. The barrow
mound is roughly circular area with a maximum diameter of about 30m.The barrow
has been spread by cultivation over the years. It is thought that the mound
is encircled by a ditch from which earth was quarried during the construction
of the barrow, and although this has now become completely infilled and is no
longer visible it will survive as a buried feature below the spread of the
mound. 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.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
31092
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Other SAU site visit, Martin, E, (1976) Title: Ordnance Survey 1st Edition
Source Date: 1836
Author:
Publisher:
Surveyor:
6"
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.
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