Details

The monument includes a bowl barrow, situated at the summit of an upland ridge known as Racecourse Downs. The barrow survives as a circular mound measuring up to 16m in diameter and 2m high with hollows, caused by early excavation or robbing, to the centre and south side. The surrounding quarry ditch, from which material to construct the mound was derived, is preserved as a buried feature.

Sources: HER:-
PastScape Monument No:-431779

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

Bowl barrows, the most numerous form of round barrow, are funerary monuments dating from the Late Neolithic period to the Late Bronze Age, with most examples belonging to the period 2400-1500 BC. They were constructed as earthen or rubble mounds, sometimes ditched, which covered single or multiple burials. They occur either in isolation or grouped as cemeteries and often acted as a focus for burials in later periods. Often superficially similar, although differing widely in size, they exhibit regional variations in form and a diversity of burial practices. Often occupying prominent locations, they are a major historic element in the modern landscape and their considerable variation of form and longevity as a monument type provide important information on the diversity of beliefs and social organisations amongst early prehistoric communities. They are particularly representative of their period. Despite early partial excavation, the bowl barrow known as Council Barrow survives comparatively well and is in an extremely prominent location. It will contain archaeological and environmental evidence relating to its construction, longevity, territorial significance, social organisation, funerary and ritual practices and overall landscape context.

Source: Historic England