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 the buried and earthwork remains of a prehistoric burial
mound on the top of Lealholm Rigg.
The monument is sited on a level area of ground, about 0.5m below and 50m-60m
south of the summit of the Rigg. It is prominently sited on the skyline viewed
from the ridge that forms Lealholm Moor and commands views to the south and
east. The barrow is 11m in diameter, standing up to 1.3m high with a slight
bulge to the north and a small central depression up to 0.3m deep. The mound's
location mirrors that of the barrow 150m to the north east which is just below
the north eastern side of the summit and the subject of a separate scheduling.
Excavation of other barrows has also shown that even where no encircling
depression is discernible on the modern ground surface, ditches immediately
around the outside of barrows frequently survive as infilled features,
containing additional archaeological deposits.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
30186
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals
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
