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 includes a bowl barrow located on ground which slopes to the
north west and is situated towards the north west corner of a field which was
formerly part of Barnham Heath. The barrow is visible as an earthen mound
which stands to a height of about 0.6m and covers a roughly circular area
measuring about 38m in diameter. In 1955 A R Edwardson excavated a trench
through the mound and found some post holes which were `slightly off centre'.
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.
The mound has been spread by cultivation, and it is thought that the buried
ditch will survive beneath the mound.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
31108
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
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
