Images (8)
Fieldnotes (2)

Images

Image of Black Down (Kingston Russell) (Bank Barrow) by GLADMAN

Fabulous lighting looking towards round barrows to the approx south-east... viewed from one such ploughed example.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone

GLADMAN Apr 28, 2016

Image of Black Down (Kingston Russell) (Bank Barrow) by formicaant

The most westerly round barrow of the group.

Image credit: Mike Rowland 27/08/2007.

formicaant Aug 27, 2007

These large round barrows lie to the east of the site in a newly harvested field.

Image credit: Mike Rowland 27/08/2007.

formicaant Aug 27, 2007

This large bowl barrow marks the east boundary of the site.

Image credit: Mike Rowland 27/08/2007.

formicaant Aug 27, 2007

The larger, western bank barrow, looking east.

Image credit: Mike Rowland 27/08/2007.

formicaant Aug 27, 2007

The eastern of two bank barrows, this one is the least prominent, it’s northern ditch can be seen in the centre of the photo.

Image credit: Mike Rowland 27/08/2007.

formicaant Aug 27, 2007

The round barrow with the sarsen in situ. In the background, to the west, is Martin’s down long barrow, the bank barrow and round barrows aligned with this barrow and stone.

Image credit: Mike Rowland 27/08/2007.

formicaant Aug 27, 2007

This large sarsen sits atop a round barrow at the western end of the site, it is a conglomerate of pebbles, like the hellstone cromlech a few miles to the south.

Image credit: Mike Rowland 27/08/2007.

formicaant Aug 27, 2007

Articles

Black Down (Kingston Russell)

Bank Barrow

formicaant Aug 27, 2007

Although not as impressive or large as the nearby bank barrow on St. Martin’s down to the west, a pair of banks so close to each other is a rarity. The eastern most lies at the head of a small north facing valley and is orientated west/east parallel to the ridge of the hill. It shows itself as a low bank with a ditch either side of it.
The more westerly of the two is at a slight angle to the ridge and is much more visible, standing about two metres at it’s highest point, it too has a ditch on both sides of it.
Perhaps the most interesting barrow on the site is to the west of the banks. It is a medium sized bowl barrow with a large sarsen stone on top of it. The stone is a concretion of pebbles very much like the stones which make up the Hellstone cromlech a few miles to the south of this site.
There are various other barrows to the west and east of this site and it is of course directly north of the poor lot barrows.

Black Down (Kingston Russell)

Bank Barrow

juamei Oct 6, 2004

[visited 11/9/4] September in Dorset can really get chilly, especially on top of the southern hills. Don’t let that stop you coming to look at this beauty however. Two bank barrows are marked on the map though only one is really obvious and its a delight. It points just to the North of the Long Bredy Bank barrow which is clearly visible on the hill to the west. Whilst not as big as that one, this is still longer than most long barrows and holds an unexpected delight. Unmarked on the OS map is a large round barrow with a huge sarsen stone on it top, a definate bonus. Looking at The Ancient Stones of Dorset, Peter Knight calls it “Kingston Russell Barrow 5”.

Look to the South from up here and you can see the extended hill containing the Grey Mare and Kingston Russell circle. Poor lot is below you to the North and you can see to the horizon in most directions. I’ve been thinking a good deal about the purpose of these Bank Barrows and indeed similarly placed Long Barrows. Riding the crest of a hill, a man-made white streak visible for miles. A sign for the gods or a marker to all who enter these parts that this is taken. Access is up about 3 fields from the A35 carefully avoiding cowpats...