Link to SMR entry
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Posted by BrigantesNation
29th November 2004ce
Edited 30th November 2004ce |
From the SMR:
"The monument includes a cursus, causewayed enclosure and round barrows which have been identified through aerial photography, lying 600m south of Hastings Hill Farm. No upstanding earthwork remains of these survive but the evidence of aerial photography and limited excavation has confirmed that significant remains survive beneath the present ground surface. Sections of the ditches of both the cursus and causewayed enclosure were excavated by the Department of Archaeology, University of Durham in 1980. The cursus is orientated north-south. At its northern terminus the cursus is 47m wide and is defined by a 1m wide, asymmetrical 'V' shaped ditch, which was 0.4m deep. The southern terminus has not been identified, but the cursus is at least 400m long. The causewayed enclosure lies 10m north west of the northern terminus of the cursus. It is an irregular oval, 92m by 65m, with its long axis orientated north-west, south-east defined by a 1m-2.2m wide ditch, which is 0.2m-0.3m deep. It has entrances in the north west and south east perimeter of the enclosure. One of the round barrows, which is 9m in diameter, is on the eastern perimeter of the enclosure. The other round barrow ditches are located just east of the cursus, 400m south of the causewayed enclosure. One of these has been measured at 20m-22m diameter. The cursus, causewayed enclosure and round barrows are interpreted as being of Neolithic date"
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Posted by BrigantesNation
29th November 2004ce
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The following cribbed from English Heritage via Magic Map:
"Bowl barrow situated 350m NE of Dewley Farm near Throckley.
On a small rise above Dewley Burn, Circular in plan, dome shaped in section. 6m high, 40m diameter with associated cropmarks. Neolithic stone axe found at the site."
This is backed up by local affirmation that 'it's always been a burial mound', and farmers having found flint artefacts in the vicinity.
Despite this apparent provenance, there are some academic references which seem to imply doubt, arguing that this is a natural feature of the landscape. It seems a bit unlikely to my uneducated eye, as there are no other hillocks like this. None so round, nor any with the neolithic artefacts placed so that aximum visibility is from a nearby spring. It's a burial mound. Surely.
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Posted by Hob
22nd November 2004ce
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This autumn's ploughing doesn't seem to have gone any further in. The badgers are still there. The outline of the mound was clearer without the foliage.
However I was quite taken with the large pool which had expanded quite a bit since my last visit. Something about the association between pools and ancient votive practises. It's probably a pithead from a 20thC mine or something, but hey, idle speculation is fun.
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Posted by Hob
22nd November 2004ce
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Posted by Hob
11th July 2004ce
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A nifty virtual tour of the monument gives an indication of the impressive outlook from the top.
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Posted by hrothgar
29th June 2004ce
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