Disc barrow

Section and plan of a generic disc barrow

A disc barrow is a type of tumulus or round barrow, a variety of fancy barrow identified in English Heritage's Monument Class Descriptions.

A disc barrow comprises a circular or oval-shaped flat platform, defined by a continuous earthen bank and inner ditch; sometimes the platform is raised above the surrounding ground level. On the platform there are one or more small mounds covering human burials deposited in cists or grave-pits. It is possible for disc barrows to be confused with a wide-bermed bell barrow; the distinguishing characteristic here is the presence of a platform supporting the small barrow mound and the continuous bank around the outside of the barrow ditch.[1]

Disc barrows are a relatively rare kind of Bronze Age burial mound, generally located in the Wessex area of southern England. In common with other contemporary round barrows they are regarded as being the burial monuments of important people; it has been suggested that the Wessex disc barrows were the burial places of important females, although this is based on the analysis of a very small number of cremation deposits and assumptions about the ownership of the main kinds of grave goods recovered.

The 18th century antiquarian William Stukeley referred to this type of barrow as a druid barrow, a practice that was continued by Richard Colt Hoare in the early 19th century, even though he did not subscribe to the idea that their creation had any connection with druids.[2]

Notable examples of disc barrows in southern England

Disc barrow on Oakley Down, Dorset
Engraving of a 'druid barrow' by Sir Richard Colt Hoare

References

  1. Fancy Barrows monument class description from English Heritage Archived September 25, 2006, at the Wayback Machine.
  2. Colt Hoare, Richard (1812). [21 The Ancient History of Wiltshire, Vol. 1] Check |url= value (help). London: William Miller.
  3. Bronze Age Archaeological Sites and Remains, Littleton in Hampshire Treasures Online.
  4. Extract from English Heritage's Record of Scheduled Monuments: Two fancy barrows on Setley Plain, Brockenhurst
  5. English Heritage National Monuments Record: Oakley Down group
  6. English Heritage National Monuments Record: monument no. 1312437
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