Reasons for Designation
Platform barrows, funerary monuments dating to the Bronze Age (2000-700 BC), are the rarest of the recognised types of round barrow, with fewer than 50 examples recorded nationally. They occur either in barrow cemeteries (closely-spaced groups of barrows) or singly. They were constructed as low, flat-topped mounds of earth surrounded by a shallow ditch, occasionally crossed by an entrance causeway. None of the known examples stands higher than 1m above ground level, and most are considerably lower than this. Due to their comparative visual insignificance when compared to the larger types of round barrow, few were explored by 19th century antiquarians. As a result, they remain a poorly understood class of monument. Their importance lies in their potential for illustrating the diversity of beliefs and burial practices in the Bronze Age. Bowl barrows, the most numerous form of round barrow, are funerary monuments dating from the Late Neolithic period to the Late Bronze Age, with most examples belonging to the period 2400-1500 BC. They were constructed as earthen or rubble mounds, sometimes ditched, which covered single or multiple burials. They occur either in isolation or grouped as cemeteries and often acted as a focus for burials in later periods. Often superficially similar, although differing widely in size, they exhibit regional variations in form and a diversity of burial practices. Often occupying prominent locations, they are a major historic element in the modern landscape and their considerable variation of form and longevity as a monument type provide important information on the diversity of beliefs and social organisations amongst early prehistoric communities. They are particularly representative of their period.
Despite partial early excavation, the two bowl barrows and one platform barrow between 600m and 830m south east of Trudnoe Farm, survive comparatively well and are potentially of an extremely rare type and form in an exposed and interesting coastal location on the Lizard peninsula in Cornwall. They will contain archaeological and environmental evidence relating to their construction, longevity, relative chronologies, ritual and funerary practices, social organisation and overall landscape context.
Details
The monument, which falls into three areas of protection, includes two bowl barrows and one platform barrow, situated on a coastal plateau with views across Mullion Cove. The westernmost is a bowl barrow and survives as a circular mound measuring approximately 24m in diameter and up to 0.8m high. The surrounding quarry ditch, from which material to construct the mound was derived, is preserved as a buried feature. There are hollows in the centre and eastern side of the mound indicating early partial excavation. The northern barrow has been variously described as a possible saucer or more probably a platform barrow and survives as a circular mound measuring 28m in diameter and 1.4m high. To the centre and north west, excavation hollows have revealed large stone slabs forming part of an internal ring, well inside the perimeter. The surrounding ditch is preserved as a buried feature. The easternmost barrow has also been described as a saucer barrow, but is more likely a flat topped bowl barrow and survives as a circular mound measuring approximately 24m in diameter and 0.6m high. The mound has several excavation hollows, and the quarry ditch is preserved as a buried feature.
Sources: HER:-
PastScape Monument No:-425260, 425269 and 425266
