Reasons for Designation
Round barrow cemeteries date to the Bronze Age (c.2000-700 BC). They comprise
closely-spaced groups of up to 30 round barrows - rubble or earthen mounds
covering single or multiple burials. Most cemeteries developed over a
considerable period of time, often many centuries, and in some cases acted as
a focus for burials as late as the early medieval period. They exhibit
considerable diversity of burial rite, plan and form, frequently including
several different types of round barrow, occasionally associated with earlier
long barrows. Where large scale investigation has been undertaken around them,
contemporary or later "flat" burials between the barrow mounds have often been
revealed. Round barrow cemeteries occur across most of lowland Britain, with a
marked concentration in Wessex. In some cases, they are clustered around other
important contemporary monuments such as henges. Often occupying prominent
locations, they are a major historic element in the modern landscape, whilst
their diversity and their longevity as a monument type provide important
information on the variety of beliefs and social organisation amongst early
prehistoric communities. They are particularly representative of their period
and a substantial proportion of surviving or partly-surviving examples are
considered worthy of protection.
Details
This monument which falls within two separate areas of protection, includes
two bowl barrows situated on the high upland ridge known as Berry Down,
overlooking the Sterridge valley. They form part of a round barrow cemetery,
of which seven barrows survive in all. The remaining barrows which form the
round barrow cemetery are the subject of separate schedulings.
The northernmost barrow survives as an oval mound 22.6m long east to west,
10.4m wide north to south and 0.4m high. The surrounding quarry ditch from
which material to construct the mound was derived survives as a buried feature
approximately 3m wide on all except the north side where the barrow is
truncated by the road. The road is not included in the scheduling. To the
north, part of the ditch underlies a field boundary.
The southern barrow survives as a circular mound 17.8m in diameter and 0.5m
high. The surrounding quarry ditch is preserved as a buried feature
approximately 3m wide.
The field boundary which crosses the northernmost barrow is excluded from the
scheduling, although the ground beneath it is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
34250
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
