Description

The monument comprises the remains of two earthen built round barrows, which probably date to the Bronze Age (c. 2300 - 800 BC). The barrows are circular in shape on plan and have a rounded profile. Barrow A (NGR SO 25375 60639), the south-eastern of the pair, measures c.31m in diameter and c.0.9m high, but is much eroded by cultivation and burrowing. Barrow B (NGR SO 25225 60919), the north-western of the pair, has been significantly spread by ploughing, giving an apparent diameter today of c. 41m and height of c.1m. Excavation has revealed that it was built in two phases. The first mound measured c.13.5m north-south by c.12.5m, covering a central pit c.2m across. Geophysical survey suggested that a narrow slot, perhaps to support some sort of revetment, surrounded this mound. The barrow was later enlarged with the excavation of a 2.5m-wide ditch, the upcast from which was dumped against the turf mound in a sequence of deposits that were later truncated by ploughing. The height of the barrow may also have been raised, although there is no surviving evidence to confirm this. In its later form the barrow had an external diameter of c.33.5m to the outer edge of the ditch, the mound being c.28.5m across. Cropmark evidence had suggested a second, inner ditch, with a diameter of c.24m, although the excavation did not confirm this and the cropmark may instead reflect variations in a succession of deposits truncated by ploughing, giving the appearance of concentric bands.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of prehistoric burial and ritual practices. The features are an important relic of a prehistoric funerary and ritual landscape and retain significant archaeological potential. There is a strong probability of the presence of both intact ritual and burial deposits, together with environmental and structural evidence. These barrows form part of a larger cluster of prehistoric monuments in the Walton Basin and their importance is further enhanced by their group value.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.

Source: Cadw