Reasons for Designation
Bell barrows, the most visually impressive form of round barrow, are funerary
monuments dating to the Early and Middle Bronze Age, with most examples
belonging to the period 1500-1100 BC. They occur either in isolation or in
round barrow cemeteries and were constructed as single or multiple mounds
covering burials, often in pits, and surrounded by an enclosure ditch. The
burials are frequently accompanied by weapons, personal ornaments and pottery
and appear to be those of aristocratic individuals, usually men. Bell barrows
(particularly multiple barrows) are rare nationally, with less than 250 known
examples, most of which are in Wessex. Their richness in terms of grave goods
provides evidence for chronological and cultural links amongst early
prehistoric communities over most of southern and eastern England as well as
providing an insight into their beliefs and social organisation. As a
particularly rare form of round barrow, all identified bell barrows would
normally be considered to be of national importance. The bell barrow on Teglease Down survives well despite some disturbance by
subequent ploughing and is likely to retain archaeological remains and
environmental evidence relating to its use and the landscape in which it was
constructed. This is the only extant barrow of an original group of four.
Details
The monument includes a bell barrow constructed on gently sloping ground on a
broad chalk spur at the north east margin of Teglease Down. The monument is
roughly circular and includes a central mound, approximately 1.2m high,
surrounded by a flat or gently sloping berm, 1m-2m wide, which has been partly
levelled where the barrow has been disturbed by ploughing on the north east
side. The average diameter of the mound and berm is about 21m. A ditch
approximately 1.5m wide and 0.15m deep survives as an infilled feature on the
north west side, further unsurveyable traces of which surround the barrow
mound. The barrow is slightly flattened on top, a report of 1979 recording an
exposed stony core. 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:
31154
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals Grinsell, L V, 'Proceedings of the Hampshire Field Club' in Hampshire Barrows, , Vol. 14, (1940), 358Other AM description, Simms, R, AM7, (1960)
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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