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. Although the three bowl barrows 750m south west of Pin Farm have been reduced
in height and spread by ploughing the bases of the mounds, the soils buried
beneath the mounds; and the fills of the buried ditches which are believed to
surround them will retain archaeological information concerning the
construction of the barrows and the manner and duration of their use, together
with evidence for the local environment at that time. The proximity of the
barrows to a number of other barrows in this part of Suffolk give them
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 three bowl barrows which are located on a north facing
slope immediately to the east of an Icknield Way path. The most northern
barrow is visible as a low earthen mound, which stands to a height of
approximately 0.3m and covers a roughly circular area measuring approximately
36m in diameter.
A second bowl barrow is situated approximately 40m to the east of the first.
It is visible as a roughly circular earthen mound, with a height of about 0.5m
and a maximum diameter of 43m.
A third bowl barrow is situated 50m south of the first barrow and 60m to the
south west of the second. This is also visible as a low circular mound with a
maximum diameter of 41m and a height of about 0.4m.
The mounds of all three barrows have been spread by ploughing and are thought
to overlie the ditches which originally encircled them and provided material
for the construction of the mounds. These will now survive as buried features. 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:
31110
Legacy System:
RSM
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