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.
Cranborne Chase is an area of chalkland well known for its high number,
density and diversity of archaeological remains. These include a rare
combination of Neolithic and Early Bronze Age sites, comprising one of the
largest concentrations of burial monuments in England, the largest known
cursus (a linear ritual monument) and a significant number and range of henge
monuments (Late Neolithic ceremonial centres). Other important remains
include a variety of enclosures, settlements, field systems and linear
boundaries which date throughout prehistory, and into the Romano-British and
medieval periods. The survival of archaeological remains is due largely to the
later history of the Chase. From at least Norman times, Cranborne Chase formed
a Royal Hunting Ground and much of the archaeological survival within the area
resulted from associated laws which applied until 1830. The unique
archaeological character of the Chase has attracted much interest and research
over the years. During the later 19th century, important contributions were
made by General Pitt-Rivers, Sir Richard Colt Hoare and Edward Cunnington,
often regarded as the fathers of British archaeology, whose research resulted
in significant advances in excavation techniques, recording methods and
archaeological interpretation. Archaeological investigations have continued
throughout the 20th century and to the present day.
The bowl barrow in Barrow Coppice, 660m north of Wayside Cottage survives
comparatively well and is known from partial excavation by General Pitt-Rivers
to contain archaeological and environmental evidence relating to the monument
and the landscape in which it was constructed.
Details
The monument includes a bowl barrow situated on a low ridge within Barrow
Coppice, in the area of Cranborne Chase.
The barrow has a mound composed of earth, flint and chalk with maximum
dimensions of 15m in diameter and about 1m in height. This is surrounded by a
ditch from which material was quarried during the construction of the
monument. The ditch is visible as an earthwork which is up to 2m wide and
about 0.45m deep.
The barrow was excavated by General Pitt-Rivers on 19th October 1881, when a
central pit containing flints and charcoal was identified, covered in a
substantial deposit of ashes and a cremation burial. Other finds from the
barrow included flint tools, antler fragments and sherds of pottery. The
excavation area remains visible as a quarry within the barrow mound.
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.
