Barrow in Williamstown

Just below summit of hilltop on a NE-facing slope in upland area with panoramic views from NW through N to E and SE, higher ground to S of ring-barrow. Ring-barrow situated on improved or recently disturbed grassland which appears to have been reclaimed and reseeded. Original land appears to have been wet marshy land in upland area with good panoramic views. Unimproved wetland located in field to W and NW of monument this may have been what the whole field was like before it was reclaimed and drained. Moated site (TS049-019----) located 700m to the NE. Impressive well-preserved ring-barrow (overall diam. 39m E-W) consisting of a circular steep-sided flat-topped mound (base diam. 26m; top diam. 17m N-S; 15m E-W; H 1.7m above fosse; 0.7m above external ground surface) the top of which is now concave possibly due to erosion, narrow inner wet fosse (base Wth. 1.3-1.8m; top Wth 5m; ext. D. 1-1.4m) and flat-topped external bank (top Wth. 1.3m; base Wth. 4m; int. H. 1.4m; ext. H 0.25-0.6m). A field boundary intersects the external face of the outer bank at SSW as depicted on OS 6-inch map, field boundary immediately S of monument still exists and respects the outer bank of the barrow. The profile of the mound, inner fosse and outer bank is very well preserved from NW through N to W. The fosse has been partially filled in at SE which may be a later feature or may represent interference with the monument, this causeway meaures 5m wide but there is no corresponding gap in bank and it does not run onto the top of the mound suggesting it is a later feature. Evidence of cattle poaching of external face of outer bank at E, SE and W, with root disturbance damage caused by furze bushes visible in places. Small square shaped quarry hole (dims. 3m x 3m D 0.5m) in top of bank at N. Several large furze bushes growing along perimeter of mound in NW quadrant. Bank is poorly degraded from W to NW. Several hollow depressions on top of mound may be evidence of collapsed cists or possible quarrying, this gives the appearance of a possible bank enclosing the top of the mound but may be just upcast from quarrying. The top of the mound as a result has an unusual appearance with the N side being higher than the S side of the mound. Ring-barrow in good condition with minimal damage caused by a combination root damage and livestock damage.