Scheduled Monument: Bell barrow known as Belle Vue Barrow, and a bowl barrow 250m north east of Hillamsland (1015994)

EXTRACT FROM ENGLISH HERITAGE'S RECORD OF SCHEDULED MONUMENTS MONUMENT: Bell barrow known as Belle Vue Barrow, and a bowl barrow 250m north east of Hillamsland PARISH: FERNDOWN TOWN DISTRICT: EAST DORSET COUNTY: DORSET NATIONAL MONUMENT NO: 29551 NATIONAL GRID REFERENCE(S): SZ07229855 DESCRIPTION OF THE MONUMENT The monument includes a bell barrow known as Belle Vue Barrow, and a bowl barrow, 250m north east of Hillamsland, part of a dispersed group of barrows on the former heathlands of Hampreston and East Parley. The bell barrow has a mound formerly recorded as being 22m in diameter, surrounded by a sloping berm, 4m wide, and is 1.5m high. Surrounding the mound and berm is a quarry ditch from which material was excavated during the construction of the barrow. This has become infilled over the years but survives as a buried feature 3m wide. Approximately 12m south west of the bell barrow is a bowl barrow which has a mound, 10m in diameter and approximately 1m high, surrounded by a quarry ditch which survives as a buried feature approximately 2m wide. All fence posts are excluded from the scheduling although the ground beneath these features is included. ASSESSMENT OF IMPORTANCE Bell barrows, the most visually impressive form of round barrow, are funerary monuments dating to the Early and Middle Bronze Age, with most examples belonging to the period 1500-1100 BC. They occur either in isolation or in round barrow cemeteries and were constructed as single or multiple mounds covering burials, often in pits, and surrounded by an enclosure ditch. The burials are frequently accompanied by weapons, personal ornaments and pottery and appear to be those of aristocratic individuals, usually men. Bell barrows (particularly multiple barrows) are rare nationally, with less than 250 known examples, most of which are in Wessex. Their richness in terms of grave goods provides evidence for chronological and cultural links amongst early prehistoric communities over most of southern and eastern England as well as providing an insight into their beliefs and social organisation. As a particularly rare form of round barrow, all identified bell barrows would normally be considered to be of national importance. The bell barrow 250m north east of Hillamsland is a comparatively well preserved example of its class. The bowl barrow, a more common type of barrow, is also comparatively well preserved. Both are part of a dispersed group of barrows on the heathlands in this area and will contain archaeological remains providing information about Bronze Age burial practices, economy and environment. SCHEDULING HISTORY Monument included in the Schedule on 8th November 1928 as: COUNTY/NUMBER: Dorset 95, F,G NAME: Belle Vue Barrow and barrow 30 yards south west of it, Belle Vue Plantation The reference of this monument is now: NATIONAL MONUMENT NUMBER: 29551 NAME: Bell barrow known as Belle Vue Barrow, and a bowl barrow 250m north east of Hillamsland SCHEDULING REVISED ON 06th August 1997

Record last edited

Oct 25 2024 9:41AM