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 scheduling includes five prehistoric bowl barrows, situated on the south
west shoulder of a ridge east of Carland Cross. The barrows are closely
grouped: four extend over 98m as an almost straight north-south alignment,
with the fifth located 20m ENE of the northern barrow in the row. The barrows
are closely associated with others beyond this scheduling, together forming a
ridge-top barrow cemetery. This scheduling is divided into two areas of
protection.
The barrow to the ENE of the row of four has a mound of earth with some small
stones, approximately 17m in diameter and 2.5m high. The mound's rounded
profile is broken on the west side by an irregular step curving up from north
to south, resembling an overgrown track. In the top of the mound is a hollow,
5.9m north-south by 5.7m east-west and up to 0.8m deep, considered to be an
antiquarian excavation. A quarry ditch is visible around the mound on the west
and north sides, forming a depression up to 2.5m wide and 0.3m deep.
The northernmost barrow in the row of four has a mound approximately 16m in
diameter and 2.7m high.
The next barrow to the south has a mound approximately 11m in diameter and
2.2m high. A hollow in the top of the mound near the centre, 2m across and
0.5m deep, is considered to be the result of an antiquarian excavation.
Remains of a ditch around the mound are visible on the south side, forming a
depression up to 1.5m wide and 0.1m deep.
Further south in the row, the next barrow has a mound approximately 14m in
diameter and 2.1m high. A portion of the mound has been reduced on its south
east side, leaving a sloping face 2.5m in from the perimeter.
The southern barrow in the row has a mound approximately 20.5m in diameter and
3.2m high, of earth and some small quartz stones. A hollow 3m across and 0.5m
deep in the top of the mound, west of centre, is considered to be the result
of an antiquarian excavation. Remains of a ditch around the mound are visible
on the south side, forming a depression up to 2m wide and 0.2m deep.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
32906
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals 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
