Monument record MDO5063 - Bowl barrow, one of the Launceston Down South Group, Tarrant Launceston

One of a group of at least thirteen round barrows on the southern part of Launceston Down. This barrow was excavated in 1938 by S and C M Piggott, who found a circular pit cut into the chalk beneath the barrow mound which they recorded as 25 feet in diameter and one foot high. This pit contained a cremation burial associated with a calcite bead. The barrow is no longer extant.

Round barrows between 200 ft. and 250 ft. above O.D., extend in an irregular line from W.to E. on the northwood-facing slope of a dry combe which falls E to the Crichel brook. All were excavated in 1938 by S and C M Piggott; they are no longer visible on the ground.

The excavations showed the mound to be 25 feet in diameter and circa 1 foot high, and comprising flints and earth. Roughly central beneath the mound was a circular pit 1.2 feet in diameter and 0.8 feet deep. It contained the cremated remains of an adult associated with a calcite bead. <1-2> <4>

Visited by MPPA in March 2000, but since all are heavily denuded, not recommended for scheduling.

<1> Society of Antiquaries of London, 1944, Archaeologia 90, Vol 90, p47-80 (Serial). SDO16830.

Piggott, S and CM. Excavation of Barrows on Crichel and Launceston Downs, Dorset. [Barrow 18]

<2> Grinsell, L V, 1959, Dorset Barrows, 135 (Monograph). SDO132.

<3> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1963 (Map). SWX1540.

(ST 95501069:ST 95621064:ST 95881056) Tumuli (NR) (sites of) (NAT) (twice)

<4> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1972, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume IV (North), 107 (Monograph). SDO99.

'The Launceston Down South Group comprises thirteen barrows (36-44); four of them lie in the neighbouring parish of Long Crichel (see Dorset V). They are between 200 ft. and 250 ft. above O.D., and extend in an irregular line from W. to E. on the northward-facing slope of a dry combe which falls E. to the Crichel brook. All these barrows were excavated in 1938 by S. and C.M. Piggott (Arch., XC (1944), 47-80); they are no longer visible on the ground and former dimensions, etc. are recorded. (36) Bowl (95381067), covering a primary cremation, associated with a calcite double-spaced bead, in a circular grave cut into the chalk; diam. 25 ft., ht. 1 ft. (Piggott, 18).'

<5> English Heritage, English Heritage Alternative Action Report, SJ Lobb, MPPA, Mar-2000 (Scheduling record). SDO18279.

<6> National Record of the Historic Environment, 210103 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

<7> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1249066 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Feb 23 2024 12:51PM