Barrow

In pasture, in undulating terrain, located at the NW end of a narrow, elongated NW–SE ridge. Ground falls away c. 60m to S into an area of lowlying marshy ground. This consists of a circular mound (diam. 5m) with gently domed profile, slightly flattened on top (diam. c. 2m), with low, broadly sloping sides (Wth slope c. 1.5-2m; H 0.3m at NW; 0.6m at SE) that grade into the slope of the ridge on which it is located. The mound is grass-covered. The S side has been partly eroded away, revealing the largely stone-free, earthen core of the mound. According local information, this location was traditionally known as ‘Sheeaun’. The ridge, on which the barrow is located, consists of an elongated, grass-covered mound (L c. 70m; Wth c. 15m; H c. 2m) orientated NW–SE axis. It has a narrow, flattened top (Wth 3-4m NE–SW) and steep, broadly sloping sides. At both the NW and SE ends, the mound tapers off in a long, gentle slope that grades into the surrounding field surface at SE, and at NW terminates at, or is slightly truncated by, a N-S field fence. The SW side of the ridge appears to have been partly dug away or scarped back in the past. Close to the SE end, there is a shallow, square or rectangular depression (3m NW–SE; c. 3-5m NW-SE) which also appears to be the result of past disturbance. The nature of the ridge as a whole is uncertain. It may be a glacial deposit but, in this locality, its size and form are unusual. The possibility that it was artificially created cannot be ruled out entirely but, on the present evidence, it is taken to be a natural feature. Attached images: SL007-050----_01.JPG possible barrow viewed from W SL007-050----_02.JPG possible barrow located at NW end of long narrow ridge, viewed from NE SL007-050----_03.JPG ridge with possible barrow at NE end, viewed from E Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 10 November 2014