Round barrow known as one of the Three Howes, 780m WNW of Teydale Farm

Reasons for Designation

Round barrows 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 mounds, sometimes ditched, which covered single or multiple burials. They occur either in isolation or grouped as cemeteries and often acted as a focus of 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 examples recorded nationally (many more have already been destroyed), occurring across most of Britain, including the Wessex area where it is often possible to classify them more closely, for example as bowl or bell barrows. Often occupying prominent locations, they are a major historic element in the modern landscape and their considerable variation in 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.

Despite limited disturbance, the round barrow known as one of the Three Howes, 780m WNW of Teydale Farm has survived well. Significant information about the original form of the barrow and the burials placed within it will be preserved. Evidence for earlier land use and the contemporary environment will also survive beneath the barrow mound. The barrow is one in a line of three. Such clusters provide important insight into the development of ritual and funerary practice during the Bronze Age. It is situated within an area which also includes other groups of burial monuments as well as field systems and clearance cairns. Associated groups of monuments such as these offer important scope for the study of the distribution of prehistoric activity across the landscape.

Details

The monument includes a round barrow which occupies a prominent ridge top position in Harwood Dale Forest. It is situated on Middle Jurassic sandstone towards the eastern edge of the North York Moors. The barrow has an earth and stone mound which stands up to 1.2m high and measures 13m in diameter. The mound was originally surrounded by a kerb of stones which supported it and defined the barrow. However, over the years these have been taken away or become buried by soil slipping from the mound so that now only one is visible on the northern perimeter of the mound. The centre of the mound has been hollowed out by partial excavation in the past. The barrow is one in a line of three and lies in an area where there are many prehistoric monuments, including further barrows as well as field systems and clearance cairns.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract. It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features, considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

34572

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
Title: Forestry Commission Areas North York Moors Archaeological Survey Source Date: 1992 Author: Publisher: Surveyor: Site 5.11
Title: 2nd Edition 25" Ordnance Survey sheet 62/6 Source Date: 1928 Author: Publisher: Surveyor:
Craster, OE, AM7, (1969)

End of official list entry

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