Monument record MDO6358 - Bowl barrow, one of the Oakley Down Group, Wimborne St Giles

Barrow forming part of the Oakley Down Group. The monument now comprises a north-south aligned elongate mound. In 1975 the RCHME reported that the monument was 65 feet long and 34 feet wide, and survived to a height of height 2.5 feet. This monument was excavated by Richard Colt Hoare in the early 19th century. He reporting finding three cremations, perhaps primary interrments, the central one with an incense cup.

A barrow, part of the Oakley Down barrow group (SU 01 NW 19). It was described by RCHME as a low elongated mound aligned north-south and measuring 65 feet by 34 feet across, and 2.5 feet high. Grinsell suggested that the mound might represent 3 conjoined small round barrows. The mound was dug into in the early 19th century by Cunnington and Hoare (their barrow 10). Hoare's account of the excavation is as follows: "No. 10 bore the appearance of a low Long Barrow. Our first section was made towards the north, where we found a cist with burned bones, and at the southern end was a similar interment but no cist. In the centre was another deposit of burned bones and an elegant little Incense Cup". The incense cup is in Devizes Museum. See also SU 01 NW 150, another long, low mound within the same cemetery which also featured interments towards either end and in the centre, and which Grinsell has also suggested to be 3 conjoined round barrows.

<1> Grinsell, L V, 1959, Dorset Barrows, 144 (Monograph). SDO132.

<2> Annable, F K and Simpson, D D A, 1964, A guide catalogue of the Neolithic and Bronze Age collections in Devizes museum, 59, 114, No. 442 (Unpublished document). SDO18620.

<3> Colt Hoare, Sir Richard, 1975, The ancient history of Wiltshire, 241 (Monograph). SDO18077.

<4> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1975, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume V (East), 103 (Monograph). SDO129.

‘(109) Barrow (01781724), (Hoare No. 10), in the form of a low elongated mound aligned N.-S., has been damaged by ploughing. It yielded three cremations, perhaps primary; that in the centre was accompanied by an incense cup (Devizes Mus. Cat., 1964, No. 442). Dimensions of mound: 65 ft. by 34 ft., height 2½ ft.’

<5> Bowen, H C, 1990, The Archaeology of Bokerley Dyke (Monograph). SWX800.

<6> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1312411 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Mar 7 2024 7:14PM