Reasons for Designation
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. There are over 10,000 surviving bowl
barrows recorded nationally (many more have already been destroyed), occurring
across most of lowland Britain. 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
and a substantial proportion of surviving examples are considered worthy of
protection.
The bowl barrow known as Robin Hood's Butt survives in a good state of
preservation, appears complete and undisturbed and is a good example of its
class. Although it may have been partly excavated in 1884, it will retain
archaeological deposits and environmental evidence relating to the landscape
in which the monument was constructed sealed beneath the mound and in the
ditch fill. It is one of several monuments of similar age which occur in the
vicinity which, when considered in association, contribute considerable
information relating to the land use, density of settlement, burial practices
and social structure of the prehistoric community which occupied this area
during the Bronze Age.
Details
The monument includes a large bowl barrow known as Robin Hood's Butt, or Butt
Tump, situated at the eastern tip of a low spur formed between the River Teme
to the south-west and River Corve to the north-east. The barrow is visible as
a substantial, steep sided mound of sandy soil, 28m in diameter and up to 4.3m
high, with a flattened summit 6.7m in diameter. Although not visible at
surface level, a ditch, from which material was quarried during the
construction of the monument, surrounds the mound. This has become infilled
over the years but survives as a buried feature some 3m wide. The barrow is
believed to have been partially excavated in 1884 by C Fortey who recorded
finds of cremated human bones and a small piece of bronze spear or arrowhead
10ft below the top of the mound. Today there are no visible surface
indications of this exploration, the mound appears complete and undisturbed.
All modern structures and boundary features are excluded from the scheduling
though the ground beneath is included.
MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.
It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features,
considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.
