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 three prehistoric bowl barrows, situated above a
gentle slope at the south east end of a ridge north of Carnon Downs. The two
northernmost barrows form a neighbouring pair, with the third 120m to their
south. These barrows are closely associated with others beyond this
scheduling, together forming a ridge top barrow cemetery. This scheduling is
divided into two separate areas of protection.
The two neighbouring barrows have similar mounds, measuring 21m in diameter
and approximately 0.4m high. Their exposed fabric consists of earth and
stones, a substantial proportion of the larger stones being white quartz.
The barrow to the south has a mound 17m in diameter and up to 0.3m high, being
more prominent on its south side where it projects from a gentle natural
slope. Its exposed fabric of earth and small stones appears to contain less
quartz than the barrows to the north.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
32910
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
