Details

The monument includes a group of 20 round barrows, which together form a
round barrow cemetery, and two associated enclosures, all situated on
gently sloping ground in the Allen valley. The barrow group lies to the
north east of a wider complex of round barrows and henge monuments known
as the Knowlton Circles, which are the subject of a separate scheduling.
The round barrow cemetery includes 20 round barrows which have been
reduced by ploughing, but which survive as ring ditches, these being the
ploughed remains of the barrows' encircling ditches as they appear on
aerial photographs. These will survive as buried features as will other
cut features within the barrows, including the central burial pits. The
ditches indicate overall diameters for the barrows of between 10m and 25m.
The barrows are associated with two ditched enclosures which have also
been reduced by ploughing. One lies on the north eastern side of the
barrow group, it is rhomboidal in form, with an entrance to the north west
and is about 24m wide. A second enclosure is situated within the barrow
group, this example is sub-rectangular in plan with dimensions of about
24m by 18m with a possible entrance in the eastern corner. Both
enclosures appear to be integrated into the round barrow cemetery and
might be broadly contemporary with it.
All fence posts relating to the modern field boundary are excluded from the
scheduling, although the ground beneath them is included.

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

Cranborne Chase is an area of chalkland well known for its high number,
density and diversity of archaeological remains. These include a rare
combination of Neolithic and Early Bronze Age sites, comprising one of the
largest concentrations of burial monuments in England, the largest known
cursus (a linear ritual monument) and a significant number and range of henge
monuments (Late Neolithic ceremonial centres). Other important remains include
a variety of enclosures, settlements, field systems and linear boundaries
which date throughout prehistory and into the Romano-British and medieval
periods. This high level of survival of archaeological remains is due largely
to the later history of the Chase. Cranborne Chase formed a Royal Hunting
Ground from at least Norman times, and much of the archaeological survival
within the area resulted from associated laws controlling land-use which
applied until 1830. The unique archaeological character of the Chase has
attracted much attention over the years, notably during the later 19th
century, by the pioneering work on the Chase of General Pitt-Rivers, Sir
Richard Colt Hoare and Edward Cunnington, often regarded as the fathers of
British archaeology. Archaeological investigations have continued throughout
the 20th century and to the present day.
Round barrow cemeteries date to the Bronze Age (c.2000-700 BC). They comprise
closely spaced groups of up to 30 round barrows - rubble or earthen mounds
covering single or multiple burials - or ring ditches, visible only from the
air due to levelling of the mounds by cultivation in the historic and modern
periods. Most cemeteries developed over a considerable period of time, often
many centuries, and in some cases acted as a focus for burials as late as the
early medieval period. They exhibit considerable diversity of burial rite,
plan and form, frequently including several different types of round barrow.
On Cranborne Chase, round barrow cemeteries are associated with earlier
features such as long barrows, the Dorset Cursus, and henge monuments. Where
excavation has taken place around the barrows, contemporary or later flat
burials between the barrow mounds have often been revealed. Round barrow
cemeteries occur across most of lowland Britain, with a marked concentration
in Wessex, of which that on Cranborne Chase is significant. They are
particularly representative of their period, whilst their diversity and their
longevity as a monument class provide important information on the variety of
beliefs and social organisation amongst early prehistoric communities. Often
occupying prominent locations, they are a major historic element in the modern
landscape and constitute a significant component of the archaeology of
Cranborne Chase. All examples with surviving remains are, therefore,
considered to be of national importance.

Despite reduction by ploughing, the round barrow cemetery 550m west of
Wimborne Lodge is known from aerial photography to survive as a series of
buried features which will contain archaeological and environmental evidence
relating to the monument and the landscape in which it was constructed. The
two ditched enclosures identified with the barrows represent a rare
association. The barrow cemetery is also associated with a significant group
of henge monuments situated to the south west.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
Mention,

Source: Historic England