Monument record MDO5819 - Bell barrow, Long Crichel

Originally constructed as bowl barrow but subsequently converted into a bell barrow by the addition of a second concentric ditch and associated berm.

A round barrow on Launceston Down, listed by Grinsell as Long Crichel 5 and by RCHME as Long Crichel 19.

The barrow was excavated in 1959-60 by C Green on behalf of the Ministry of Works (Inspectorate of Ancient Monuments) in advance of deep ploughing. Two phases of construction were discerned, and the barrow was used intermittently for burials over a lengthy period. At the centre was a large oval pit containing a contracted inhumation with Bell Beaker. Nearby was another Beaker-associated inhumation, buried within what was described as a tree-throw pit. There is some uncertainty as to which phase of activity the later belongs. This central area was surrounded by a ditch 8 metres in diameter and covered by a low mound. Subsequently, further burials were inserted into this central area, some disturbing the earlier burials. These secondary inhumations were associated with Food Vessels. Sherds of a handled bowl were also scattered through various contexts. Meanwhile, a second ditch concentric to the first and some 21 metres in diameter was dug, and the mound enlarged to some 16 metres diameter, leaving a berm between the mound and the new outer ditch, effectively converting a bowl barrow into a bell barrow.
Finally, a further series of burials were inserted into the mound within deep pits or shafts cut down through the mound, in the process disturbing some of the earlier burials. These latest burials were primarily unaccompanied cremations. Later activity was represented solely by some Romano-British potsherds in the upper fill of the outer ditch, and by the digging of a large sub-rectangular pit into the centre of the mound during the Second World War. [NB this barrow was originally recorded as part of ST 91 SE 57. That record should be consulted for additional sources and information].
Heavily degraded and not recommended for scheduling.

<1> Grinsell, L V, 1959, Dorset Barrows, p118 (Monograph). SDO132.

<2> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1975, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume V (East), 40 (Monograph). SDO129.

‘(19) Bell (95881157), comprising a mound 60 ft. across and 5 ft. high, surrounded by a narrow berm, was excavated by C. Green in 1959–60, prior to levelling. As in (18) the barrow was found to have two concentric ditches. Initially there had been a low bowl barrow, about 26 ft. in diam., lying within the inner ditch and covering a primary inhumation associated with a bell beaker. This was subsequently covered by the bell barrow and the outer ditch was dug to encircle it. Associated with the second phase were a beaker inhumation, four food-vessel inhumations, and later inhumations and cremations (P.P.S., XXVI, n.s. (1960), 343).’

<3> Grinsell, L V, 1982, Dorset Barrows Supplement, p44 (Monograph). SWX1703.

<4> Green, C, Lynch, F, and White, H, 1983, The Excavation of Two Round Barrows on Launceston Down; Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, Volume 104, 1983, p39-58. (Grinsell: Long Crichel 5 and 7). (Article in serial). SDO14148.

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

<6> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1305012 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Dec 12 2024 4:35PM