Monument record MDO2118 - Disc barrow or henge north east of Eggardon Hill, Powerstock

A roughly circular enclosure around 65 metres across, formed by a circular ditch with outer bank. There are two gaps, possibly entrances, to the west and east and a circular barrow mound in the centre of the enclosed area. Another barrow immediately to the south-west appears to overlie the bank. This monument is interpreted as either a Neolithic henge of Class 2 type or a Bronze Age disc barrow.

SY 54689460 - "Tumulus within earth circle, a disc one. Super disc barrow diameter between ditches 52 paces. By outer bank southwest quadrant is perched another later barrow. Central mound much bigger and higher than usual." <3> A disc barrow or a henge monument, or a disc barrow, with henge affinities. A suggestion of causeways at north-north-west and south-south-east noted by Mrs Piggott and confirmed by inspection. The mound has a diameter of 48 feet and a height of 3 1/4 feet. The berm averages 42 feet wide and the ditch is 17 feet wide and 1 1/4 feet deep. The outer bank is 17 feet wide and 1 1/4 feet high. A bowl barrow (HOB uid 1456632) impinges on the bank at the southwest <1> <4> <5> Usually regarded as a disc-barrow, but perhaps a henge monument. It consists of a circular ditch with an outer bank, which is in places 5 feet above the ditch. On the northwest and southeast are breaks in the bank and ditch which may be original entrances. Near the centre of the earthwork is a round barrow, probably an integral part, while another secondary one appears to overlie the bank on the west, though bank and ditch of the earthwork are flattened in its neighbourhood as if to avoid it. <7> This disc barrow/henge monument consists of a bank 6 metres wide and on average 0.7metres high, with an inner ditch 3.5 metres wide and 0.5 metres deep. Within this is a berm 14 metres wide and a central mound 13 metres in diameter and 1.3 metres high. This mound has two small depressions in the top. The earthwork is well portrayed on the O.S. 1:2500, except for the two breaks and causeways, which occur on the north-north-west and south-south-east. The causeway on the north-north-west is 2 metres wide, and that on the south-south-east 3 metres wide. <8> A sub-circular enclosure extant as an earthwork, and located among an irregular scatter of round barrows to the east of Eggardon hillfort. The enclosure comprises a circular ditch with outer bank, and has a maximum external diameter of around 65 metres. There are two possible entrance causeways, one to the north-northwest and the other opposite at the south-southeast. In the centre of the enclosed area is a circular barrow mound. Another barrow (HOB uid 1456632) lies immediately outside the ditch to the southwest and appears to overlie the bank. The enclosure has been interpreted as either a disc barrow or a henge. The chronological relationship between the central mound and the enclosure earthwork is unclear in the absence of excavation. <9-10> A sub-circular enclosure 65 m across is visible as an earthwork on aerial photographs to the east of Eggardon hillfort. The enclosure comprises a circular ditch with outer bank, and has two possible entrances to the west and east. In the centre of the enclosed area is a circular barrow mound. Another barrow (MDO2119) lies immediatelyto the south-west and appears to overlie the bank. The enclosure is interpreted as either a Bronze Age disc barrow or a Neolithic henge. <11-12>

Record last edited

Aug 21 2023 4:06PM