Monument record MDO6361 - Disc Barrow, Oakley Down Group, Wimborne St Giles

Disc barrow with two mounds - one central and one offset to the south east - forming part of the Oakley Down Group. In 1975 the RCHME reported that the central mound was 35 feet in diameter and survived to a height of 2 feet; the south eastern mound measured 25 feet by 20 feet, and was less than one foot high. The berm is 40 feet across: the ditch 15 feet wide and 1.5 feet deep; the outer bank of similar dimensions. The central mound has previously produced evidence for primary and secondary interments.

A disc barrow, part of the Oakley Down barrow group (SU 01 NW 19). It comprises two mounds surrounded by a single ditch with outer bank. The central mound is 35 feet in diameter and 2 feet high. The other, a little to the southeast, is 25 feet by 20 feet and less than 1 foot high. The berm is 40 feet across, the ditch is 15 feet wide and 1.5 feet deep, and the outer bank is of "similar dimensions". It was excavated in the early 19th century by Cunnington and Hoare (their barrow 6). Their account is less than clear, but they appear to have trenched the central mound. Hoare suggests that it had been opened previously. Fragments of burned and unburned human bones were taken to indicate the presence of a disturbed cremation and inhumation. They also found a cremation within a pit benath the mound towards its southeast side. Hoare then states that they cut a section across a "ridge" that seemed to connect the two mounds, discovering a very large pottery vessel containing a cremation with amber and faience beads.

The central mound appears to have contained a primary cremation with an intrusive skeleton above it. The south-eastern mound covered a primary cremation burial in a circular cist. A ridge between the mounds produced a large cremation urn with amber and faience beads. <3>

<1> Grinsell, L V, 1959, Dorset Barrows, 170 (Monograph). SDO132.

<2> Colt Hoare, Sir Richard, 1975, The ancient history of Wiltshire, 238 (Monograph). SDO18077.

<3> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1975, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume V (East), 103 (Monograph). SDO129.

‘(112) Disc (01821730), (Hoare No. 6) has two mounds, one at the centre and another to S.E. The former had been opened previously, but it appears to have contained a primary cremation with an intrusive skeleton above it; the latter covered a primary cremation in a cist. In 'a ridge' between the two mounds was found a large urn containing a cremation with beads of amber and faience. The central mound is 35 ft. in diameter and 2 ft. high; the S.E. mound is 25 ft. by 20 ft. and under 1 ft. high; the berm is 40 ft. across; the ditch is 15 ft. wide and 1½ ft. deep; the outer bank is of similar dimensions.’

<4> Bowen, H C, 1990, The Archaeology of Bokerley Dyke (Monograph). SWX800.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1312442 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Mar 7 2024 7:15PM