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. The bowl barrow 700m north west of High Lodge survives well and will retain
archaeological information concerning its construction and the manner and
duration of its use. Evidence for the local environment prior to and during
that time will also be preserved in soils buried beneath the mound and in the
fills of the buried ditch. 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 includes a bowl barrow located on ground which slopes to the
east, south and west, on the north east edge of a field and immediately to the
south of Chestnut Court. The barrow is visible as an earthen mound, which
stands to a height of approximately 1.9m and covers a roughly circular area
measuring approximately 26m in diameter. It is thought that the mound is
encircled by a ditch, with an estimated width of 3m, from which earth was
quarried during the construction of the barrow. Although this has now become
completely infilled and is no longer visible, it will survive as a buried
feature. A depression on the north side of the mound is thought to be the
result of an unrecorded archaeological investigation.
The surface of the track to the north east of the monument is excluded from
the scheduling, although the ground beneath it 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:
31100
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals Skertchley, S B J, 'Mem Geol Survey' in On the Manufacture of Gun-flints, (1879)Other NMR, Briscoe, G, On the Manufacture of Gun-flints, (1953)
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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