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
This monument includes a bowl barrow which is situated near to a north facing
cliff edge on a promontory known as Gallantry Bower. The barrow survives as a
9.3m diameter mound standing up to 1.1m high, surrounded by a 2.1m wide and
0.6m deep ditch. Sitting on the outer edge of this ditch is a 3.3m wide bank
standing up to 0.4m high. At least six edge set stones within the northern
side of this bank may indicate the presence of a kerb, which survives
elsewhere as a buried feature. The monument measures 19.9m in overall
diameter. A 2m wide and 0.4m deep trench cutting across the mound from north
west to south east may be the result of a partial early excavation or robbing.
Given the prominent location of the barrow, it has been suggested that it
may have been reused in historic times as a beacon.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
32191
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
