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.
Details
The monument, which falls into two separate areas, includes two Bronze Age
bowl barrows aligned north - south and situated about 40m apart on Woodbury
Common. The barrows lie on relatively flat ground on the south facing part of
the common on either side of the B3179 Yettington to Woodbury road.
Both barrows have clear bowl-shaped profiles varying in height between 2m
for the northern barrow to 2.5m for the southern. Both barrow mounds have a
diameter of 14m and both are surrounded by quarry ditches. The northern barrow
has an encircling ditch 2.5m wide and 0.5m deep whilst the southern has an
encircling ditch 1.9m wide and 0.4m deep. Both mounds are surrounded at a
further distance by a bank, and an outer ditch of perhaps more recent
construction thought to be part of a landscaping modification of the late 18th
or early 19th century, which are not included in the scheduling.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
29651
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals 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
