Monument record MDO6351 - Bell barrow, Oakley Down Group, Wimborne St Giles

Bell barrow, part of the Oakley Down Group. In 1975 the RCHM(E) reported that the barrow was 85 feet in diameter and 11 feet high. Evidence of a cremation was found beneath the barrow when it was excavated in the early 19th entury.

A bell barrow, part of the Oakley Down barrow group (SU 01 NW 19). It was described by RCHME as a mound 85 feet in diameter and 11 feet high, surrounded by a berm 12 feet wide and a very shallow ditch 20 feet across. It was dug into in the early 19th century by Cunnington and Hoare (their barrow 16). Hoare's account is as follows: "No. 16 is the largest barrow in the whole group, and has baffled our attempts, although we made a section of twelve feet square, and dug to the depth of twelve feet six inches. On the floor of the barrow we perceived evident marks of cremation". This last remark would appear to refer to traces of burning rather than to the presence of cremated human bone.

<1> Grinsell, L V, 1959, Dorset Barrows, 166 (Monograph). SDO132.

<2> Colt Hoare, Sir Richard, 1975, The ancient history of Wiltshire, 241 (Monograph). SDO18077.

<3> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1975, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume V (East), 102-103 (Monograph). SDO129.

‘(102) Bell (01731713), (Hoare No. 16), beneath which evidence of cremation was found. The mound is 85 ft. in diameter and 11 ft. high; the berm, 12 ft. wide, is surrounded by a very shallow ditch 20 ft. across.’

<4> Bowen, H C, 1990, The Archaeology of Bokerley Dyke (Monograph). SWX800.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1312379 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Mar 7 2024 7:13PM