MDE1061 - Chapman Barrows on the Parracombe/Challacombe Parish Boundary (Monument)

Twelve Bronze Age barrows forming a linear cemetery extending along the parish boundary on a very prominent east-west ridge. The barrows vary widely in their state of preservation, several having been disturbed by excavation.

(SS 6943) Chapman Barrows (NR). [1] A group of round barrows, most extending as a linear cemetery along the parish boundary: 1. SS 6927 4346. Diameter 18 paces; height 5 1/2 feet, with a large hollow in the centre. 2. SS 6928 4349. 24 paces by 7 feet. Probably opened by Antell 1885. Within the retaining circle was a cairn with a cist containing a pot circa 2 feet high and 1 foot 6 inches diameter, later smashed. Said to have contained sheep bones but it may have contained human bones of a primary or secondary burial. 3. SS 6935 4372. Diameter 17 paces, height 4 feet. 4. SS 6940 4349. Diameter 24 paces, height 2 feet. 5. SS 6945 4348. Diameter 20 paces, height 2 1/2 feet, cut by stone wall on parish boundary. 5a. SS 6948 4348. Diameter 12 paces, height 1 feet. Flat and spread; found July 1961. 6. SS 6954 4348.Diameter 25 paces, height 6 feet. On parish boundary. 7. SS 6969 4347. Diameter 28 paces, height 5 feet. 8. SS 6987 4347 Diameter 25 paces, height 5 feet. 9. SS 7000 4347. Diameter 28 paces, height 8 1/2 feet, crowned by OS trig pillar. 10. SS 7008 4334. Diameter 28 paces, height 1 1/2 feet, truncated. 11. SS 7000 4320. Diameter 33 paces, height 6 ft. Opened by Chanter, 1905, who found within a dry stone retaining wall a cairn with a primary cremation. 12. A-J. SS 699 431. A group of mounds averaging 3 paces diameter by 1 foot high. Opened by Chanter, 1905, without result, though two contained pits and others charcoal. [2] A group of round barrows as described by Grinsell, though the small mounds 12. A-J cannot be identified with any degree of certainty. The previously unpublished barrow 5a, surveyed at SS 6947 4347. All other barrows revised. [3] The Chapman Barrows are centred at SS 695 435. They consist of a linear group of twelve round barrows, occupying a very prominent west-east ridge. The barrow group is not depicted on Donn's county map of 1765. [4] For the purposes of this account the numbers allocated by the Ordnance Survey field investigator have been followed (ie working from west to east). 1. At SS 69264 43464. A very well defined, turf-covered circular mound measuring 19.6 metres north-south by 20.5 metres west-east (the summit has a diameter of 10.5 metres). It is 2.4 metres high. The mound lies close to a hedgebank, the ditch of which has slightly truncated its north side. The mound has a stepped appearance caused by a berm, 0.8 metres wide, which runs continuously round it close to its base. The top of the mound has a central excavation pit. It is sub-rectangular and measures 5.8 metres by 5.5 metres, and is 0.9 metres deep. 2. At SS 69280 43495. A turf-covered, slightly smoothed circular mound in the corner of enclosed land. It measures 24.5 metres north-south by 21.4 metres west-east, and has corresponding summit measurements of 9.6 metres and 10.4 metres; it is 1.7 metres high. Its west side has been slightly clipped by a field boundary. An amorphous sub-circular hollow, 2.5 metres in diameter and 0.3 metres deep, exists in the centre of the summit. Recent animal erosion has occured on the north-west quadrant of the barrow. The mound was probably opened by Thomas Antell in 1885 to obtain stones for repairing field walls. Within the retaining circle was a cairn with a cist containing a pot, 0.61metres high and 0.45 metres in diameter. Later smashed, it was said to have contained sheep bones, but it may have contained human bones of a primary or secondary burial (20/21?). [2] 3. At SS 69352 43723. An apparently intact well-defined circular mound within enclosed land. It has a diameter of 14.7 metres with a summit of 4.3 metres, and is 0.7 metres high. It lies over 200 metres north of the linear cemetery which forms the Chapman group, and occupies the northern crest of the ridge on the lip of ground falling away to the north. It therefore, unlike those barrows to its south, has good views to the north-east. 4. At SS 69402 43489. A smoothed, turf-covered circular mound lying within enclosed land. It measures 20.3 metres north-south by 23.5 metres west-east, and has a summit diameter of 14.5 metres. It is 0.4-0.6 metres high, with most of the height being on the western side. Its south side has been cut by the flanking ditch of a field boundary. The centre of the mound and most of its summit has been disturbed by an excavation and associated spoil dumps. A central lobe of spoil runs north-south across the mound, and is 0.4 metres high. To west and east are slight irregular hollows probably representing poorly backfilled excavations. 5. At SS 69450 43475. A turf-covered circular mound bisected by a west-east field boundary. It is 19.6 metres in diameter, and has been differentially preserved so that the northern half, lying within enclosed land, is 0.5 metres high while the southern half, lying on open moorland, is 0.7 metres high. There is no visible sign of any excavations. 5a. At SS 69478 43477. An amorphous, elongated swelling bisected by a west-east field boundary. it measures 17.5 metres north-south by 10.6 metres west-east, and is 0.3 metres high. Its interpretation as a barrow cannot be conclusive, due to its overall form. 6. At SS 69541 43477. A very well defined circular mound divided by a west-east field boundary. It measures 22.6 metres in diameter and is 2 metres high, and has a corresponding summit diameter of between 10.4 metres and 11.8 metres. There is no surface indication of any excavation. Topographically it is on ground rising eastwards and, therefore, overlooks those barrows already described to its west. It has panoramic views in all directions except to its east, as far as Dartmoor to the south and Wales to the north. 7. At SS 69696 43468. A turf-covered, well defined circular mound measuring 21.8 metres north-south by 24.9 metres west-east and with a summit diameter of 10 metres; it is 3.2 metres high. The northern scarp of the barrow has been clipped and slightly truncated by a west-east field boundary. A central excavation pit is visible in the summit. It is sub-square in shape and is 5.8 metres across. It is steep sided and has a depth of 1.6 metres. The barrow is ringed by a ditch 0.3 metres deep and 1.7 metres wide, which is continuous except on the northern side. The barrow has extensive, panoramic views, which are only slightly obscured on its eastern side. It is on higher ground than barrow 6 to its west. 8. At SS 69873 43470. A turf-covered, slightly sub-circular mound measuring 18.2 metres north-south by 24 metres west-east, and with a summit diameter of 11.1 metres; it is 1.5 metres high. Its northern slopes have been grazed by a west-east field boundary. The mound appears to have been disturbed by excavation, but only amorphous undulations are visible. The mound has all round visibility and panoramic views. 9. At SS 70004 43476. A well defined, turf-covered, circular mound measuring 27 metres in diameter, and with a summit diameter of between 9.4 metres and 11.6 metres. It is 3.6 metres high. On the top of the barrow is a mound 0.6 metres high and 6.2 metres in diameter which has been constructed to accommodate an OS Triangulation Pillar. 10. At SS 7008 4334. A circular, turf and reed covered, circular mound measuring 26.5 metres north-south by 28 metres west-east, and with a summit diameter of 23 metres. It is 0.6 metres high. The barrow is relatively low compared with its neighbours. There is no indication that it has been excavated, although in places its top is uneven. 11. At SS 69994 43210. A circular, turf-covered mound measuring 32.6 metres in diameter with a summit diameter of 15 metres. It is 2.3 metres high. The barrow is dominated by a massive excavation in the form of a trench driven north-westwards into its centre from the south-east. The trench is "V"-shaped in section, being some 4.7 metres wide at the top and only 1 metre wide at the base. It is 1 metre deep and is very steep sided. Towards the centre of the barrow it curves slightly northwards and opens out to a width of 5.9 metres. The overall length of the excavation is 18.5 metres. The mound was opened by Chanter in 1905 (2).32m to the east-south-east of the centre of the barrow, at SS 7002 4319, is a small mound with a hollow interior and an opening on the southern side. It measures 4m north to south by 6.2m west to east. One edge set stone, 0.2m high, is visible on the eastern side of the opening. The function and date of the feature is unclear, but it may be associated either with the excavation or with the mounds 11 a-j, see below. 12 A-J. No clear indication of the mounds could be seen in the vicinity. However, a number of small mounds were observed during the course of the above investigation. Two are visible to the northeast of barrow 11, and another lies to the south-east of barrow 7. They are all between 1.8m adn 3m in diameter and 0.4m high. They are sharply defined and appear to be largely composed of earth. Their function is unclear, but they do not appear to be associated with the barrow cemetery. [5] The Chapman Barrows are centred at SS 696 434. They consist of a linear group of twelve round barrows, occupying a very prominent west-east ridge. The majority of the barrows fall within this sheet but two, barrows 9 and 11 fall partly within, and barrow 10 falls wholely within sheet SS 74 SW. Barrow 9 - there is a distinct change in the slope of the barrow, about 1.6 metres high and 7 metres in from the perimeter, which may be indicative of an internal retaining turf or stone wall structure. The barrow has been 'excavated' just south of its centre leaving a mound of spoil, about 6 metres diameter, some 0.6m high above the summit. The hollow within the spoil has been partly back filled to accommodate the Ordnance Survey Pillar. There are slight traces of a surrounding ditch. Barrow 10 - SS 70082 43337. A barrow visible as a well-defined raised circular area of rough grass. Probing revealed some stone content but it appears to be predominantly an earthen construction best seen around the south-west quadrant where it reaches a maximum 0.7 metres high. There are suggestions of a slight bank around the rim and faint traces of a silted ditch around the north-west quadrant. Barrow 11 - SS 69994 43210. A well-formed bowl barrow covered by heather and rough grass. There is (as with barrow 9) a distinct change of slope, about 1.6 metres high, some 6.7 metres in from the periphery. There is now no trace of a surrounding ditch however a growth of rushes around the northern side suggests a heavily silted feature. Chanter's excavation trench (see [2]) cuts into the barrow from east-south-east forming a steep sided gulley 11 metres long and up to 7 metres wide, ending in a central hollow some 6 metres in diameter and 1.5 metres deep. The excavation has revealed the interior of the barrow which is earth with some small stone content. Spoil from the excavation has been dumped around the hollow forming a band of material 0.5 metres above the summit. At SS 7003 4321, about 20 metres to the north-east of the trench entrance, is a turf-covered earth and stone mound, 6 metres in diameter and 0.5 metres high, with a gap in its south side. This appears to be a spoil heap from the excavation.These are Scheduled Monuments. Surveyed at 1:2500. [7-8] It should be noted that (as with MDE1282) there is a distinct difference between the two types of monuments in this group of barrows. Seven of them (barrows 1,2,6,7,8,9 and 11) are clearly 'bowl' type barrows. Four (3,4,5 and 10) are much lower 'rimmed platform' or 'ring bank' barrows. The mound (barrow 5a) may be one of this latter group but must remain doubtful. [5-9] The barrow group is clearly visible on aerial photographs of the area, with the exception of 5a, which cannot be identified. Signs of excavation can be seen on at least two of the barrows, which agrees with the authorities above. A possible thirteenth barrow has been recorded to the north east of barrow 3. The small mounds 11 or 12 A-J may represent clearance cairns associated with the 19th century enclosures. N.B. includes further features recorded at SS 6924 4343, SS 6927 4341 and SS 7005 4319. [9-12] A group of 11 barrows marked on Ordnance Survey map along east-west ridge which forms the Devon/Somerset border, and is one of the highest grounds of Exmoor. Two of the barrows have definitely been excavated, though most show signs of previous disturbance. Barrow 1 is 50 feet in diameter and 5 feet high with a concave top. Barrow 2 is 60 fee tin diameter and 5 feet high. Barrow 3 is 50 feet in diameter and 3 feet in height. This barrow is under grass. Barrow 4 is located on both sides of the hedge. It is 60 feet in diameter and 3 feet high Barrow 5 is 60 feet in diameter and 6 feet high, again it is located on both sides of the hedge and is slightly mutilated. Barrow 6 is 80 feet in diameter and 8 feet high. This barrow has a 5 feet deep pit excavated in the centre. Barrow 7 is 70 feet in diameter and 8 feet high. Barrow 8 is 80 feet in diameter and 9 feet high, it is located on both sides of the hedge and has a Ordnance Survey triangulation point on top of concrete base. Barrow 9 is 70 feet in diameter and 2 feet high. [14] Discussion of name Chapman given. Barrow 5A: Previously unpublished barrow, now surveyed. [15] Barrow 2: No change to mound. Adjacent land has been improved in c1980. Barrow lies just north of parish boundary. Barrow 4: Mound appears to have been reduced in height on north side of wall since 1961. Land adjacent to mound on north side of boundary was improved in c1980. To south of boundary, barrow survives unchanged in moorland. Barrow 5: No change to mound. Adjacent land on north side of parish boundary inproved in c.1980. Gate in wall on top of mound. To south of boundary, barrow survives unchanged in moorland, with rushes indicating substantial ditch. Barrow 7: No change to barrow on south side of boundary which is still moorland. Field to north of boundary in Parracombe parish has been recently improved. Barrow 3: Barrow marked out during agricultural improvement. Barrow 5A: Not scheduled. Shown on 1975 25" OS map. Northern half of mound lies on land which was improved in c.1980 and a very slight surface trace of this half of the mound survives. To the south of the parish boundary the barrow survives unchanged in moorland. [16] Scheduled Monument Consent granted for works concerning the repairs to an earthen bank. [18] Barrow 11: One of three fairly well-defined round barrows of the Chapman group. Good on 1947 aerial photograph, fair on 1977 aerial photo. [26] Short article setting the Chapman Barrows within their landscape context, highlighting their intervisibility with other barrow groups and stressing the importance of their location on some of the highest ground on Exmoor. [32] Two small mounds observed after swaling. One has robbed centre and is approximately 1 metre wide.The other has a possible ditch. [38] The Scheduled Monument Condition Assessment of 2009 gave the site a survival score of 8. Individual barrows scored as follows: 1 - 4; 2 - 8; 3 - 0; 4 - 3; 5 - 3; 6 - 3; 7 - 3; 8 - 5; 9 - 5; 10 - 0; 11 - 0. [39] A digital reconstruction drawing was created in 2013 by Peter Lorimer. [40] The geophysical survey at Chapman Barrow 11 has recorded a ring-shaped anomaly approximately 25m in diameter, albeit with a slight elongation to the southwest. Direct correlation between all three techniques [Magnetometer, Resistance and GPR] suggest this to be the original ring cairn beneath the barrow. There is no evidence for a ditch encircling the mound or the ring cairn. The origin of the oval southwest extension is unclear: it could be the way the monument was originally built, the result of soil creep or possibly the dumping of spoil from the 1905 excavations, undertaken by Reverend Chanter. GPR has identified reflectors on both the northern and southern sides of the barrow (just within the circuit of the ring cairn) which are believed to have archaeological potential. East of the barrow a horseshoe-shaped cairn has produced a strong magnetic response which could indicate burning. The layout of the stones and the presence of further edge-laid examples at the centre of the ‘horseshoe’ arc is reminiscent of Burnt Mounds identified in many other Bronze Age landscapes. The size and setting (not close to any obvious watercourse) perhaps temper this interpretation and the possibility that it is a feature made at the time of the 1905 excavations cannot be ignored. [42] The site was surveyed in March 2015 as part of the 2015 Exmoor Scheduled Monument Condition Assessment. It was given a survival score of 8. Individual barrows scored as follows: 1 - 4; 2 - 8; 3 - 0; 4 - 3; 5 - 3; 6 - 3; 7 - 3; 8 - 4; 9 - 4; 10 - 0; 11 - 0.[44] Barrow 10 was subject to geophysical survey as part of a wider study of a group of monuments on Challacombe Common in June 2015. This revealed the line of an encircling ditch, though as section of the northern quarter of the circuit was missing. It is possible that the mound has been excavated and reconstructed in the past. [45] Part of Chapman Barrow 11 was excavated by JF Chanter in 1905. [46,47] Event linked to this Monument record as part of NRHE pilot project. [48] The features recorded by the NMP at at SS 6924 4343, SS 6927 4341 are depicted on the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map. They may or may not be barrows. [12,49] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [50]