Details

The monument includes a hengiform barrow and an associated ring ditch, both of
which are identified as burial structures of the Bronze Age (c.2000-700 BC)
The hengiform barrow is so named because it resembles in form an earlier type
of monument called a henge which has enclosing ditches and banks broken by one
or more causeways or entrances. The Fairford hengiform barrow consists of a
slightly elongated low mound 30m by 40m in diameter and standing 0.5m high.
The mound is surrounded by a central ring ditch, itself enclosed by two
penannular ditches. The outer ditches are broken to the north west, hence its
description as hengiform.
The monument also includes a circular cropmark located immediately to the
north east of the hengiform barrow. No visible earthwork survives. However,
the ring ditch is apparent on the aerial photographs next to, and running
under the uncultivated field boundary. The ring ditch is believed to have
surrounded a Bronze Age burial mound, the above ground parts of which have
been destroyed.

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

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

The Upper Thames gravels are remarkable for the abundant evidence of extensive
prehistoric settlement and burial sites. Hengiform barrows are fairly common
in other areas of the Upper Thames Valley but the Fairford example is the only
one known as far west as Gloucestershire and is therefore considered to be of
importance.
The barrow survives in a moderate condition as a low but well defined
earthwork. No other barrows are known to survive as earthworks on the Upper
Thames gravels in Gloucestershire and Wiltshire and, as such, the barrow is
very rare. The hengiform barrow has a good range of features and high
potential for the survival of archaeological remains. Its significance is
enhanced by its association with the nearby and perhaps contemporary Bronze
Age ring ditch.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
NMR SP 1400:2, (1976)

Source: Historic England