Scheduled Monument: Bell barrow 500m north east of Beacon Farm (1015995)

EXTRACT FROM ENGLISH HERITAGE'S RECORD OF SCHEDULED MONUMENTS MONUMENT: Bell barrow 500m north east of Beacon Farm PARISH: FERNDOWN TOWN DISTRICT: EAST DORSET COUNTY: DORSET NATIONAL MONUMENT NO: 29552 NATIONAL GRID REFERENCE(S): SZ06789937 DESCRIPTION OF THE MONUMENT The monument includes a bell barrow 500m north east of Beacon Farm, one of a dispersed group of barrows on Parley and Ferndown Commons. The bell barrow has a mound, 25m in diameter, surrounded by a sloping berm, c.3m wide, and is 3m high. Surrounding the mound and berm is a quarry ditch from which material was excavated during the construction of the barrow. This is visible as a depression up to 4m wide and 0.8m deep. A second barrow c.80m to the north is the subject of a separate scheduling. 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 500m north east of Beacon Farm is one of a dispersed group of barrows on the heathland in this area and is a well preserved example of its class. It 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 95I NAME: Round Barrow 1/4 mile WSW of Heath Farm The reference of this monument is now: NATIONAL MONUMENT NUMBER: 29552 NAME: Bell barrow 500m north east of Beacon Farm SCHEDULING AFFIRMED ON 16th May 1997

Record last edited

Oct 9 2024 3:17PM