Monument record MDO47864 - Bowl barrow on Bere Down, Bere Regis

An unlocated bowl barrow, probably on Bere Down. This was one of four barrows excavated circa 1850 and described by Warne. The other three have been tentatively identified but this one, Warne's tumulus 12 and Grinsell's Bere Regis 8d, has not. It was, at the time of excavation, barely a foot high. Warne described it as an "undulation, so insignificant as to be passed un-noticed...[and] was recognized by a gentle swelling of the turf". Beneath this low mound was a "shallow grave" dug about 1 foot deep into the underlying chalk. It contained "the mouldering remains of seven individuals, which were found lying east and west...The care paid to these mortal relics consisted of a layer of well-chosen flint, nicely adjusted over them, and on which this humble tumulus was heaped". While a Bronze Age date has been assumed, the description implies extended inhumations, and the proximity of Iron Age and Roman settlement and agricultural evidence should not be overlooked.

D. 100 yds. SE of an encampment, from a small barrow 1ft high seven skeletons beneath a layer of flint were excavated. Warnes No 12. Although the last four barrows were described as being in WINTERBORNE KINGSTON, they were almost certainly on BERE DOWN.

Four urns - all ? MBA and a globular LBA urn from Barrow on BERE DOWN. from the DURDEN Collection are in the BRITISH MUSEUM. (1-3)

No trace of these barrows may now be seen in fields under pasture. Not visible on air photo CPE/UK/1974/3349 (4)

<1> Shipp, W, and Hodson, J W (eds), 1861, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. 3rd edition. Volume 1, 5 (Monograph). SWX4496.

<2> Warne, C, 1866, The Celtic Tumuli of Dorset (1866), 10 (Monograph). SWX8166.

<3> Grinsell, L V, 1935-54, Dorset Barrows 1935-54 Manuscript (Unpublished document). SWX1556.

<4> JCS, Field investigator's comments JCS, F1 JCS 17-NOV-54 (Unpublished document). SDO20001.

<5> Grinsell, L V, 1959, Dorset Barrows, 88 (Monograph). SDO132.

<6> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 3, 435 (Monograph). SDO150.

<7> Grinsell, L V, 1982, Dorset Barrows Supplement, 33 (Monograph). SWX1703.

<8> National Record of the Historic Environment, 455924 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Mar 14 2024 10:13AM