Details

The monument is a bowl barrow which survives as a low mound, 34m in diameter
and 0.5m high, in an arable field. Partial excavation in 1870 revealed a
mound constructed in layers over a cremation burial accompanied by a copper-
alloy dagger and several beads. This barrow is the westernmost of an E-W
cluster of three barrows, locally called the `Three Barrows', spaced 10-25m
apart along the S crest of a low ridge. Their position overlooks the centre
of the area covered by the Upton Pyne barrow group, which comprises over
thirty recorded barrows dispersed about a low-lying alluvial basin north of
the confluences of the River Exe with the Rivers Culm and Creedy. Within the
overall group, barrows occur both as isolated examples and forming localised
clusters, some linear such as this one. Grave goods and a radiocarbon date
derived from the few partly-excavated barrows in the group indicate burials
during the early and middle Bronze Age (around 2000 - 1000 BC). All of the
upstanding barrows of this group present the appearance of unditched bowl
barrows, the absence of ditches being supported by aerial photographic
evidence and confirmed for all examples that have been excavated.

MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.
It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features,
considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

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. There are over 10,000 surviving bowl
barrows recorded nationally (many more have already been destroyed), occurring
across most of lowland Britain. 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
and a substantial proportion of surviving examples are considered worthy of
protection.

Limited excavation of this barrow has confirmed the survival of detailed
evidence for the barrow's construction and the primary burial, while leaving
much of its mound intact and sufficient areas unexcavated to allow
preservation of any secondary burials that were made in the barrow. The
unusual low-lying position of the Upton Pyne barrow group, its good overall
preservation, and the quality of the dating, constructional and artefactual
information that it has already produced, have all resulted in its frequent
mention in national reviews of Bronze Age funerary monuments.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Books and journals
Todd, M, The South-West to A.D. 1000, (1987), 148-150
Other
Devon SMR entries for SX 99 NW-119 and -120,
Devon SMR entry for SX 99 NW-021 AND -026,
Devon SMR entry for SX 99 NW-027,
Devon SMR entry for SX 99 NW-052,
Fox, A., South-West England, (1964)
Title: 1:50000 Map, No. 192: Exeter, Sidmouth & surrounding area
Source Date:
Author:
Publisher:
Surveyor:

Source: Historic England