Monument record MDO3389 - Bell barrow, one of the Big Wood Barrow Group, Winterbourne Steepleton

Also visible as an earthwork on aerial photographs {1} and LIDAR {2} as a circular mound surrounded by an outer ditch, approximately 27 metres in diameter. It is part of a linear Bronze Age barrow cemetery running northeast-south west along the edge of Big Wood. It was digitally plotted during the South Dorset Ridgeway Mapping Project.

Bell barrow, 84ft. in diam and 9ft. high. The berm is 5ft. wide and 4ft. above the ditch, which is 15ft. wide and 1ft. deep. Excavation hollow on the top and sherds of probable Bronze Age cinerary urn can be found on the S.E. {3}

<1> Royal Air Force, 04-NOV-1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1824 4279-81 (Aerial Photograph). SDO11791.

<2> 24-1-2008, LIDAR D0089652 (Aerial Photograph). SDO11794.

<3> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 3, 472 (Monograph). SDO150.

<4> Papworth, M, 1983, The South Dorset Ridgeway Project: condition and management survey, SDR 170 (Index). SDO12304.

Built up berm for a bell barrow, dimensions as above. Encroachment by ploughing has only left a slight indication of a ditch. Mound grass covered in cultivated field. 1/3/C

<5> Wessex Archaeology, 2011, South Dorset Ridgeway Barrow Survey 2010 (Unpublished document). SDO12407.

Record last edited

Jan 27 2025 1:56PM