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Saucer barrows are funerary monuments of the Early Bronze Age, most examples dating to between 1800 and l200 BC. They occur either in isolation or in barrow cemeteries (closely-spaced groups of round barrows). They were constructed as a circular area of level ground defined by a bank and internal ditch and largely occupied by a single low, squat mound covering one or more burials, usually in a pit. The burials, either inhumations or cremations, are sometimes accompanied by pottery vessels, tools and personal ornaments. Saucer barrows are one of the rarest recognised forms of round barrow, with about 60 known examples nationally, most of which are in Wessex. The presence of grave goods within the barrows provides important evidence for chronological and cultural links amongst prehistoric communities over a wide area of southern England as well as providing an insight into their beliefs and social organisation. As a rare and fragile form of round barrow, all identified saucer barrows would normally be considered to be of national importance.

The saucer barrows 775m south east of Rodmead Farm, despite having been eroded by cultivation, are known from partial excavation to contain archaeological remains providing information about Bronze Age beliefs, economy and environment.

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The monument includes two saucer barrows, lying on the crest of Rodmead Hill 775m south east of Rodmead Farm. The barrows, which are aligned NNW-SSE have been largely levelled by cultivation but are still visible as low mounds approximately 0.3m high. The most northerly barrow has been recorded as having a mound 10m in diameter surrounded by a shallow ditch approximately 1.8m wide and an outer bank 2.7m wide. Partial excavation carried out by Sir Richard Colt Hoare in October 1807 revealed a pagan Saxon burial. An extended skeleton, with its head to the north east, was accompanied by a bronze bowl, buckle and clasp, a brass bound wooden bucket, and a shield boss, sword, knives and spearheads of iron. The southern barrow has been recorded as having a mound 9.6m in diameter surounded by a ditch 1.8m wide and with traces of an outer bank 1.8 wide. No traces of burial were revealed when this barrow was excavated by Colt Hoare.

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.