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 Bronze Age bowl barrow situated 380m west of
St Michael's Church in a prominent location on a broad, low plateau above a
tributary of the Barlings Eau.
The barrow mound is roughly circular, measuring about 15m in diameter and
standing to a height of about 1.3m. The sides slope gently to a flattened
summit which has been slightly disturbed by children in recent years. This
disturbance resulted in two small hollows but the barrow and its funerary
deposits are believed to be otherwise intact.
Traces of a partly infilled ditch from which material for the mound would have
been quarried, can be seen to the north and south. Elsewhere, ploughing has
obscured the ditch circuit but its remains are thought to survive beneath the
present ground surface.
The barrow's position on the parish boundary suggests that its survival as a
significant earthwork is due to its past importance as a territorial landmark.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
29744
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
