A round barrow is a type of tumulus and is one of the most common types of archaeological monuments. Although concentrated in Europe, they are found in many parts of the world, probably because of their simple construction and universal purpose.
In Britain, most of them were built between 2200BC and 1100BC. This was the Late Neolithic period to the Late Bronze Age. Later Iron Age barrows were mostly different, and sometimes square.[ Two Iron Age round barrows and a Bronze Age round barrow]
Description
At its simplest, a round barrow is a hemispherical mound of earth and/or stone raised over a burial placed in the middle. Beyond this there are numerous variations which may employ surrounding ditches, stone kerbs or flat
between ditch and mound. Construction methods range from a single creation process of heaped material to a complex depositional sequence involving alternating layers of stone, soil and
sod with timbers or used to help hold the structure together.
The center may be placed a stone chamber or cist or in a cut grave. Both intact and placed in vessels can be found.
Many round barrows attract surrounding satellite burials or later ones inserted into the mound itself. In some cases these occur hundreds or even thousands of years after the original barrow was built and were placed by entirely different cultures.
Numerous subtypes include the bell barrow, bowl barrow, saucer barrow and disc barrow.
Examples
Scandinavia
Denmark
Denmark has many tumuli, including round barrows. The round barrows here were built over a very broad span of time and culture, from the Neolithic Stone Age to the
Viking Age. They show a large variation of construction design while sharing a common exterior look.
[Dictionary: Rundhøj Alt om Fortidsminder (Denmark's Cultural Heritage agency) ] Tumuli were protected by law in 1937.
. Many smaller round barrows in Denmark are encircled by agricultural fields.]]
. Many barrows are overgrown by shrubs or trees.]]
from the Viking Age, are the youngest in Denmark.]]
Britain
In Britain round barrows generally date to the Early Bronze Age although
Neolithic examples are also known. Later round barrows were also sometimes used by
Ancient Rome,
Viking and
Saxon people societies. Examples include
Rillaton barrow and
Round Loaf. Where several contemporary round barrows are grouped together, the area is referred to as a
barrow cemetery.
England
Lincolnshire
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Beacon Hill, near Cleethorpes
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Bully Hill, near Tealby
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Bully Hills, Gräberfeld near Tathwell
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Burgh on Bain, Barrows near Burgh on Bain
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Burwell Wood, Barrows near Muckton
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Buslingthorpe, near Buslingthorpe
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Butterbumps, Gräberfeld near Willoughby
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Cleatham Barrow, near Manton
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Donnington-on-Bain, near Donington on Bain
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Folk Moot & Butt Mound, near Silk Willoughby
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Fordington Barrows, near Ulceby
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Grim's Mound, near Burgh on Bain
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Hagworthingham, near Hagworthingham
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Hatcliffe Barrow, near Hatcliffe
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Howe Hill, near Ulceby
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King's Hill, Barrow/Mound near Bardney
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Ludford Barrow, near Ludford
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Mill Hill, near Claxby
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Revesby Barrows, near Revesby
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Ring Holt, near Dalby
See also
External links