Reasons for Designation
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. This high level of survival of archaeological remains is due largely
to the later history of the Chase. Cranborne Chase formed a Royal Hunting
Ground from at least Norman times, and much of the archaeological survival
within the area resulted from associated laws controlling land-use which
applied until 1830. The unique archaeological character of the Chase has
attracted much attention over the years, notably during the later 19th
century, by the pioneering work on the Chase of General Pitt-Rivers, Sir
Richard Colt Hoare and Edward Cunnington, often regarded as the fathers of
British archaeology. Archaeological investigations have continued throughout
the 20th century and to the present day.
Bowl barrows, the most numerous form of round barrow, are funerary monuments
dating from the Late Neolithic 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. Over 10,000 bowl barrows are known to survive
nationally, of which a cluster of at least 395 examples has been identified on
Cranborne Chase. Some of these have been levelled by ploughing but remain
visible from the air as ring ditches. Buried remains will nevertheless survive
at these sites, both within the ditch fills and associated with the central
burial pit. Bowl barrows are particularly representative of their period,
whilst their considerable variation of form and longevity as a monument type
will provide important information on the diversity of beliefs and social
organisation amongst early prehistoric communities. Often occupying prominent
locations, they are a major historic element in the modern landscape and
constitute a significant component of the archaeology of Cranborne Chase. All
surviving examples within this area are, therefore, considered to be of
national importance.
Despite some disturbance caused by the construction of a road on the
eastern side of the monument, the bowl barrow 170m north east of the
Horton Inn survives well and will contain archaeological and environmental
evidence relating to the monument and the landscape in which it was
constructed. The barrow represents one of few similar monuments to survive
as an upstanding earthwork within the area, the majority having been
levelled as a result of past farming practices.
Details
The monument includes a bowl barrow situated on a low spur, overlooking
the Allen Valley. The barrow lies to the south of a group of similar
monuments associated with the Knowlton Circle complex. These monuments are
the subject of separate schedulings. The barrow has a mound composed of
earth, chalk and turf, with maximum dimensions of 25m in diameter and
about 2m in height. Surrounding the mound is a ditch from which material
was quarried during the construction of the monument. The ditch has become
infilled over the years, but will survive as a buried feature about 2m
wide. The eastern edge of the barrow is impinged on by the course of the
Cranborne to Wimborne road which overlies a portion of the buried ditch.
All fence posts and the surface of the road where it overlies the ditch on
the east side of the barrow are excluded from the scheduling, although the
ground beneath these features is included.
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.
