Reasons for Designation
Bell barrows, the most visually impressive form of round barrow, are funerary
monuments dating to the Early and Middle Bronze Age, with most examples
belonging to the period 1500-1100 BC. They occur either in isolation or in
round barrow cemeteries and were constructed as single or multiple mounds
covering burials, often in pits, and surrounded by an enclosure ditch. The
burials are frequently accompanied by weapons, personal ornaments and pottery
and appear to be those of aristocratic individuals, usually men. Bell barrows
(particularly multiple barrows) are rare nationally, with less than 250 known
examples, most of which are in Wessex. Their richness in terms of grave goods
provides evidence for chronological and cultural links amongst early
prehistoric communities over most of southern and eastern England as well as
providing an insight into their beliefs and social organisation. As a
particularly rare form of round barrow, all identified bell barrows would
normally be considered to be of national importance.
Details
This monument includes three bowl barrows and one bell barrow, situated on the
high upland ridge known as Bursdon Moor, with commanding views towards the
coast and Lundy Island.
The four barrows are arranged in a roughly triangular grouping. The
easternmost survives as a circular mound 25.9m in diameter and 0.8m high. It
has a rather irregular profile and has been cut by an oval central depression
measuring 3.2m long, 2m wide and up to 0.2m deep. The surrounding outer ditch,
from which material to construct the mound was quarried, is preserved as a
buried feature, approximately 3m wide.
The westernmost barrow, a bell barrow, survives as a circular central mound,
11m in diameter and 0.8m high. This has been cut by a slightly curved
depression measuring 4.6m long, 2.4m wide and 0.2m deep. The central mound is
surrounded by a berm which measures up to 1.6m wide, beyond which is a ditch,
up to 3.2m wide and 0.2m deep. Surrounding the ditch is an outer bank, most
visible on the south east side, which measures 2.4m wide and 0.2m high.
The southernmost barrow survives as a circular mound 25.7m in diameter and
0.6m high. This has a central depression 4.9m long, 1.8m wide and up to 0.3m
deep. The surrounding quarry ditch is preserved as a buried feature
approximately 3m wide.
The central barrow survives as a circular mound of uneven profile 13.8m in
diameter and 0.5m high. The surrounding quarry ditch is preserved as a largely
buried feature, although it is just visible measuring 2.4m wide and 0.1m deep.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
34246
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
