MDE1062 - Roe Barrow, South Common (Monument)
Summary
Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record caveat document.
Type and Period (2)
Protected Status
Full Description
(SS 6976 4433) Roe Barrow (NR) [1] On the south of South Common. [2] (SS69764433). A round barrow 12 paces by 1/2 foot, opened by Chanter on 20 May 1905. A trench four feet wide was cut through and it was noted that the cup shaped top was evidence of previous opening as the central material was mixed with earth right down to the bottom. The "barrow" was shown to be a cairn with about ten inches of earth and sod over it, with indications of a cist and a broken cover stone measuring 25 inches by 11 inches (possibly damaged during previous excavation), and a large quantity of charcoal in and around centre. [3,4] The barrow has been severely robbed and only the rim, 12.0 metres diameter and 0.6 metres high, remains. It lies in fallow land, but some stone dumping has occurred in its centre. Published survey 25 inch revised. [5] Roe Barrow is centred at SS 6976 4433. It lies in permanent pasture within enclosed land. It has overall measurements of 11.4 metres north to south by 10.3 metres west to east. In form it consists of a compact stony rim, which is all that survives of the barrow fabric: the whole of the interior has been removed by excavation, and further, the narrow rim which survives around the edge has been broken on the west and east by a trench cut across the site. The field evidence supports Chanter's assertion that the barrow had already been excavated before 1905: there is a central excavation pit which has removed most of the barrow material, and a west to east trench. Which of these episodes came first is impossible to tell. Of the spoil removed from the barrow, there is now no evidence except for a slight mound of material on its western side. The interior of the barrow is featureless but has had surface stones and small boulders dumped within it, presumably an operation associated with modern field clearance. Around the outer edge of the barrow is an outer scarp or rim - it seems most likely to be the result of ploughing around the barrow. Aspect: Roe Barrow has an open aspect to the west, north and northeast. To the south it is overlooked by the prominent west to east ridge occupied by the Chapman Barrows (MDE1061), but significantly, this barrow group and Roe Barrow are not intervisible. The site is currently under close cropped grass, and has suffered from animal erosion. [6-8] The remains of Roe Barrow are clearly visible on aerial photographs taken in 1952, apparently heavily damaged with only the edge visible. [9-10] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [11]
Sources/Archives (11)
- <1> SEM7608 Map: Ordnance Survey. 1963. 6 Inch Map: 1963.
- <2> SMO5476 Monograph: Page, W. (editor). 1906. The Victoria History of the County of Somerset. Archibald Constable and Company, Limited (London). 1. 627.
- <3> SEM6797 Article in serial: Worth, R.H.. 1905. Twenty-Fourth Report of the Barrow Committee. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. 37. 87-95. Volume 37 (1905), "Roe Barrow, Parracombe Common" 95 (R Hansford Worth).
- <4> SEM6798 Article in serial: Grinsell, L.V.. 1970. The Barrows of North Devon. Proceedings of the Devon Archaeological Society. 28. p126.
- <5> SMO7303 Unpublished document: BUCKLEY, MHB. Field Investigators Comments. Ordnance Survey visit, 15 August 1972.
- <6> SMO7329 Unpublished document: Wilson-North, R.. Various. Field Investigators Comments. RCHME Field Investigation, 4 October 1993.
- <7> SMO4814 Technical drawing: Sainsbury, I. & Wilson-North, R.. 1993. South Common, SS 64 SE 20, 21, 22, 25, 46, 47, 54/ink survey . 1:2500. Permatrace. Pen and Ink.
- <8> SMO5831 Collection: RCHME Exeter. 1993-1999. Exmoor Project.
- <9> SMO4068 Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. RAF 540/931 4094-95 08-NOV-1952.
- <10> SMO7564 Archive: 2007-2009. Exmoor National Park NMP: SS 64 SE. MD002181.
- <11> SEM7987 Digital archive: Historic England. Various. National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) entry. 34727, Extant 9 November 2021.
External Links (1)
- www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=34727 (Pastscape entry: 34727)
Other Statuses/References
- Devon SMR (Devonshire): SS64SE/24
- Devon SMR Monument ID: 2090
- Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MDE20150
- Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MMO32
- Local List Status (Unassessed)
- National Monuments Record reference: SS 64 SE20
- National Park: Exmoor National Park
- NRHE HOB UID (Pastscape): 34727
Location
Grid reference | Centred SS 6975 4432 (23m by 20m) |
---|---|
Map sheet | SS64SE |
Civil Parish | PARRACOMBE, NORTH DEVON, DEVON |
Finds (1)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (4)
Record last edited
Nov 9 2021 4:36PM
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