Ancient Monuments

History on the Ground

This site is entirely user-supported. See how you can help.

Eight of a group of round barrows on Silk Hill

A Scheduled Monument in Milston, Wiltshire

We don't have any photos of this monument yet. Why don't you be the first to send us one?

Upload Photo »

Approximate Location Map
Large Map »

If Google Street View is available, the image is from the best available vantage point looking, if possible, towards the location of the monument. Where it is not available, the satellite view is shown instead.

Coordinates

Latitude: 51.221 / 51°13'15"N

Longitude: -1.7285 / 1°43'42"W

OS Eastings: 419053.942874

OS Northings: 146897.559769

OS Grid: SU190468

Mapcode National: GBR 4ZL.7T6

Mapcode Global: VHC2N.0K1W

Entry Name: Eight of a group of round barrows on Silk Hill

Scheduled Date: 16 March 1966

Last Amended: 1 February 1990

Source: Historic England

Source ID: 1009730

English Heritage Legacy ID: 10148

County: Wiltshire

Civil Parish: Milston

Traditional County: Wiltshire

Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Wiltshire

Church of England Parish: Milston with Brigmerston St Mary

Church of England Diocese: Salisbury

Details

The eight barrows within this scheduled area are false crested along
the southern side of Silk Hill's summit. They form an approximate line
with other barrows to the west and south-east. They are exceptionally
well preserved.
1 - A ditched bowl barrow, c.34m overall diameter. The ditch is connected to
that of an adjacent barrow. (SU18964693)
2 - A ditched bowl barrow, c.31m overall diameter. The ditch is cut by the
ditches of adjacent barrows. (SU18954691)
3 - A ditched bowl barrow, c.42m overall diameter. The ditch cuts/connects
with that of an adjacent barrow. (SU18994690)
4 - A bowl barrow with a ditch 4m wide and an overall diameter of c.48m.
Partial excavation in the 19th century revealed a primary cremation with a
bronze dagger, two whetstones and a pin. It also left a deep hole in the top.
(SU19034690)
5 - A ditched bowl barrow, c.42m overall diameter. The ditch is probably
overlain by the bank of an adjacent barrow. (SU19134687)
6 - A ditched bowl barrow, 17m overall diameter. This barrow is now only just
visible. It has been ploughed in the past. (SU19174687)
7 - A disc or saucer barrow: there is no mound but a central platform, ditch
and outer bank. The overall diameter is c.40m. Partial excavation in the 19th
century revealed a primary cremation off centre. (SU19104689)
8 - A pond barrow, 28m overall diameter. The north-east corner connects with
the ditch of an adjacent barrow. Partial excavation in the 19th century
revealed a collared urn with a cremation and bone ornament, flint and iron
pyrites. (SU19074687)

MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

The most complete and extensive survival of chalk downland archaeological
remains in central southern England occurs on Salisbury Plain, particularly in
those areas lying within the Salisbury Plain Training Area. These remains
represent one of the few extant archaeological "landscapes" in Britain and are
considered to be of special significance because they differ in character from
those in other areas with comparable levels of preservation. Individual sites
on Salisbury Plain are seen as being additionally important because the
evidence of their direct association with each other survives so well. Some
470 round barrows, funerary monuments dating to the Late Neolithic and Early
Bronze Age, are known to have existed in the Salisbury Plain Training Area,
many grouped together as cemeteries. The total includes some 70 barrows of
rare types. Such is the quality of the survival of the archaeological
landscape, over 300 of these barrows have been identified as nationally
important.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
Trust for Wessex Archaeology, (1987)
Wiltshire Library & Museum Service, (1987)

Source: Historic England

Other nearby scheduled monuments

AncientMonuments.uk is an independent online resource and is not associated with any government department. All government data published here is used under licence. Please do not contact AncientMonuments.uk for any queries related to any individual ancient or schedued monument, planning permission related to scheduled monuments or the scheduling process itself.

AncientMonuments.uk is a Good Stuff website.