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Description

Reasons for Designation D-shaped barrows are funerary monuments of the Middle Neolithic period, broadly dating to 3000-2400 BC. Along with long barrows and oval barrows, they represent the burial places of Britain's Neolithic farming communities. They were constructed as earthen or rubble mounds, the long straight sides of which were elaborated by facades of posts or large stones. Quarry ditches are sometimes present. Where investigated, D-shaped barrows have produced evidence of burials in box-like chambers or in pits. Accompanying ceremonial deposits and sometimes secondary burials are also known. D-shaped barrows are very rare nationally, with less than ten recorded examples in England. Due to their rarity, considerable age and longevity as a monument type, all D-shaped barrows are considered to be nationally important. Although the mound of the `D'-shaped barrow 250m east of New Close Plantation has been reduced by ploughing, the quarry and facade ditches, and the primary ritual pit, will survive as infilled and buried features. These will contain rare and valuable information in the form of artefacts and organic material, including animal and human remains, relating to the period of construction and use of the barrow and to the funerary practices of its builders. The old ground surface beneath the mound will retain archaeological evidence to indicate land use prior to the building of the barrow. The enclosure, enclosure ditch and post hole will contain buried archaeological evidence for their spatial and chronological associations with the barrow. All these features will also retain environmental deposits which may illustrate the nature of the landscape in which the monument was set. Details The monument includes the buried remains of a Neolithic `D'-shaped barrow and outer enclosure situated 250m east of New Close Plantation. Although the barrow mound has been reduced by ploughing, the infilled ditch is clearly visible from the air as a cropmark. The cropmark (an area of enhanced crop growth resulting from higher levels of moisture retention in the fills of the underlying archaeological features), has been recorded on a series of aerial photographs since 1976. The `D'-shaped ditch measures, overall, some 20m north to south and 18m east to west. The curved section would have provided material for the construction of the mound whilst the straight, southern side - broken by a central entrance way - is thought to represent a palisade trench. This may have supported a number of upright posts or stones forming a monumental facade to the barrow itself. The entrance way would have provided access to the barrow, perhaps via a small ritual forecourt. Although little is known of this rare barrow type, excavations of similar examples suggest that the mound may have been constructed over a pit containing a ceremonial deposit containing animal bone. The barrow is set within a trapezoidal ditched enclosure which measures a maximum of 80m north to south and 55m east to west. The north eastern corner of the enclosure ditch is interrupted by a circular feature thought to be a large post hole. This would have supported a substantial post intended, perhaps, as a landscape marker. The enclosure may be contemporary with the barrow, perhaps constructed to define an outer ritual area. Alternatively, it may represent a later phase of ritual or practical activity focussed on this location. Sources Other evidence from Grendon & Green Low, Darvill, T C, Single Monument Class Description: D-Shaped Barrows, (1988) oblique monochrome print, St Joseph J K, BZJ 4, (1976) oblique monochrome print, St Joseph J K, BZU 68, (1976)

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