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 modification by modern ploughing, the round barrow 530m
north west of Carnwinnick survives well. The mound remains substantially
intact, and the old land surface and original deposits associated with it
will also survive. The ditch is infilled but any deposits in its base can
be expected to be undisturbed. The siting of the barrow illustrates well
the important role of topography in Bronze Age funerary activity.
Details
This monument includes a later prehistoric round barrow, situated on level
ground towards the south end of a ridge top north east of Grampound Road. The
barrow is associated with another beyond this scheduling, 1.2km to the
north west.
The barrow is sub-circular in plan, with a mound of earth and stone
measuring around 15m across east-west by 14m north-south, and 0.5m high.
The mound has a fairly regular, gently curving profile, modified by modern
ploughing. An early account of the barrow provides evidence of a ditch
surrounding the mound, 1.8m wide. This will survive as a buried feature,
having been infilled over the years.
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.