Monument record MDO5072 - Barrow in Launceston Down South Group, Tarrant Launceston

A bowl barrow recorded as being around 20 feet in diameter and less than one foot high. Excavation in 1938 revealed three extended burials in a shallow pit; these are thought to be intrusive burials, and probably pagan Saxon. The barrow is no longer extant as an earthwork.

Round barrows between 200 ft. and 250 ft. above O.D., extend in an irregular line from W to E on the northwood-facing slope of a dry combe which falls E. to the Crichel brook. All were excavated in 1938 by S. and C.M Piggott; they are no longer visible on the ground. A probable Early Medieval round barrow, part of a cemetery at Launceston Down excavated in 1938. The barrow is no longer extant as an earthwork. A "vague trace of a ditch" enclosed an area of about 20 feet in diameter, and the mound stood to a maximum height of 0.8 feet above the natural chalk. A shallow irregular "scraping" below the mound contained three skeletons, one laid face-down, the other two on their sides and slightly overlapping the first. There were no artefacts or any other form of dating evidence, but these inhumations and presumably the barrow were probably of Saxon date. Beaker sherds and a few "coarse gritty sherds" were found during the excavations. <1-2> <4> Three intrusive? Romano-British or pagan Saxon extended inhumations. <2> Visited by MPPA in March 2000, but since all are heavily denuded, not recommended for scheduling. <5>

Record last edited

Feb 23 2024 12:56PM