Scheduled Monument: BOWL BARROW 300M SOUTH-EAST OF THE FIRS, BROAD DOWNS (1012334)

Authority
Date assigned 21 January 1960
Date last amended 16 July 1991

Description

The monument, a bowl barrow located on the crest of the Downs with extensive views to the south and west, includes an earthen mound encircled by a now-infilled quarry ditch. The profile or the mound suggests that it has been spread slightly by agricultural activity, but the barrow mound nevertheless survives to a height of 1.6m above the surrounding land and measures 21m in diameter. The surrounding ditch has been infilled by the soil eroded and spread from the mound so that it is no longer visible. The diameter of the mound and ditch together is 26m. ASSESSMENT OF IMPORTANCE 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.

External Links (0)

Sources (1)

  • Scheduling record: English Heritage. Register of Scheduled Monuments.

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred TR 0800 4520 (31m by 31m)
Map sheet TR04NE
County KENT
District ASHFORD, KENT
Civil Parish WYE WITH HINXHILL, ASHFORD, KENT

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Record last edited

Sep 20 2010 11:10AM