Round barrow cemetery on Barrow Hill 150m south west of Brookvale Farm

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.

The round barrow cemetery on Barrow Hill 150m south west of Brookvale Farm is one of several on the heathland in this area and contains two different types of barrow. Most of the barrows are well preserved and will contain archaeological remains providing information about Bronze Age beliefs, economy and environment.

Details

The monument, which falls into four areas, includes a round barrow cemetery comprising four bell and two bowl barrows, situated on a flat-topped ridge on Barrow Hill 150m south west of Brookvale Farm. A Roman road lies 150m to the west and is the subject of a separate scheduling. The four southern barrows are aligned south west-north east while the two northern barrows are situated close together 135m to the north west. The four bell barrows vary in diameter between 9.6m and 17m, and between 0.5m and 2.2m high. The bowl barrows are each 6m across and 0.5m high. All the barrows are surrounded by quarry ditches; these are visible around five of the barrows varying between 1.5m and 3.5m across. Three of the barrows were partially excavated in 1847 by J H Austen. Two were found to contain cremations, possible in primary positions, with at least one interment. A third barrow was found to have, in its centre, a primary cremation with ashes contained in a Late Bronze Age pottery urn. At least five later inhumations were also found. All fence posts and the electricity pole and support stays are excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath these features is included.

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:

29588

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Grinsell, L V, Procs Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Soc. in Dorset Barrows, (1959), 125

Other
Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, (1970)
Report No 39872.1, McKinley, J I, Barrow Hill, Corfe Mullen, Dorset. SEB 11kv Mains Replacement, (1996)

End of official list entry

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