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Summary

Prehistoric bowl barrow on Witheridge Moor one of a linear group of four

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1016652: Bowl barrow 300m north west of Witheridge Moor Cross (west)
• SHINE: Prehistoric barrow north west of Witheridge Moor Cross, one of a linear group of four on Witheridge Moor

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: 35592
• Old DCC SMR Ref: SS81NE/7
• Old SAM County Ref: 472
• Old SAM Ref: 32211
• Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division: SS81NE 4

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• BOWL BARROW (Bronze Age - 2200 BC to 701 BC (Between))

Full description

Ordnance Survey, 1880-1899, First Edition Ordnance 25 inch map (Cartographic). SDV336179.

Wall, J. C., 1906, Ancient Earthworks, 628 (Article in Monograph). SDV341465.

Grinsell, L. V., 1970, The Barrows of North Devon, 129 (Article in Serial). SDV7849.

Site visit 27th May1958. Wet moor. Two recumbent stones near - one to south-east, the other to east. Diameter 35 paces, height 6 feet.

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, 1970 - 1971, SS81NE4 (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV343340.

Site visit 14th April 1970. A grass covered ditchless round barrow, apparently of the local flat topped type but considerably dug into. Height 0.9 metres.

Department of Environment, 1974, Four Round Barrows near Elworthy Cross (Schedule Document). SDV341912.

Round barrow on Witheridge Moor, most easterly of three. 90 feet diameter, 5 feet high. Profile irregular as an excavation has been made on east side. South of the barrow is a fallen slab marked as "Druidical Stone" by Ordnance Survey. It is a large culm slab 8 feet by 7 feet. Probably a menhir. Other stone not located. Other details: Monument 472.

National Monuments Record, 1979, SS8515, 1520/162 (Aerial Photograph). SDV343342.

Unknown, 1980, Shaft Dug in Barrow, Witheridge Moor (Report - non-specific). SDV343337.

Site visit 3rd April 1980. Barrow approximately 15 metres diameter on top, about 20 metres at base. Profile shows hollowed top and mutilated on east side. Otherwise fair condition standing over 1 metre in height. However a hole 1.1-1.2 metres deep dug just off centre. Obviously recently dug, with straight sides and water filled. Spoil lying at sides. Lying in poorly drained rough grazing moorland, evidende of old field banks lying in vicinity.

Weston, S., 1983, List of Field Monument Warden Visits 1983 (Un-published). SDV343247.

Clearly visible on 1979 National Monuments Record aerial photograph. The 'reclamation' that has gone on in the area has principally respected the barrow.

Griffith, F. M., 1988, DAP/KF, 1 (Aerial Photograph). SDV57441.

Gerrard, H., 1998, 149849, 149849 (Un-published). SDV343338.

Site visit 19th October 1998. The monument survives as a circular mound which measures 37 metres in diameter and is 1.8 metres high. The surrounding ditch from which material to construct the mound was derived survives as a buried feature. An excavation trench crosses the centre of the mound in an east to west direction and measures 4 metres wide and 0.7 metres deep. Within this trench a further more recent square trench has been excavated which cuts down a further 0.6 metres and is approximately 1.5 metres square. The mound also has fairly pronounced ridges running across it in a north to south direction, which measure approximately 0.1 metre high.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 1999, Bowl Barrow 300 Metres North-west of Witheridge Moor Cross (West) (Schedule Document). SDV343343.

The monument includes a bowl barrow situated on a prominent upland ridge known as Witheridge Moor. It is the easternmost of a group of four barrows which straddle this ridge. The monument survives as a circular mound which measures 37 metres in diameter and is 1.8 metres high. The surrounding ditch from which material to construct the mound was derived survives as a buried feature approximately 5 metres wide. An excavation trench crosses the centre of the mound in an east to west direction and measures 4 metres wide and 0.7 metres deep. Within this trench a further more recent square trench has been excavated which cuts down a further 0.6 metres and is approximately 1.5 metres square. The mound also has fairly pronounced ridges running across it in a north to south direction, which measure approximately 0.1 metres high. The post and wire fence surrounding the barrow is excluded from the monument, although the ground beneath is included. Other details: Monument 32211.

English Heritage, 2009, Heritage at Risk Register 2009: South West, 105 (Report - non-specific). SDV342694.

Extensive significant problems. Principal vulnerability plant growth.

English Heritage, 2010, Heritage at Risk Register 2010: South West, 97 (Report - non-specific). SDV344777.

National Monuments Record, 2011, 35592 (National Monuments Record Database). SDV346403.

Bronze Age bowl barrow on Witheridge Moor, the easternmost of a group. It is 37 metres in diameter and 1.8 metres high. The remains of an excavation trench extends across the mound east to west.

Payne, S., 2011, Farm Environment Plan Survey Visit (Personal Comment). SDV348588.

Site visit to Witheridge Moor to survey targeted areas for Farm Environment Plan. Survey revelaed that this barrow was one of the best preserved of the three on the moor. Protected by a fence, although covered in dense bracken.

English Heritage, 2011, Heritage at Risk Register 2011: South West, 102 (Report - non-specific). SDV355280.

Extensive significant problems.Declining. Principal vulnerability plant growth.

Ordnance Survey, 2011, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV346129.

'Tumulus' shown on modern mapping on Witheridge Moor.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV5687 - Field Survey, Witheridge Moor

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