Three Bronze Age bowl barrows on Shelley Common (EHER 141)

Three Bronze Age bowl barrows are visible as slight earthworks on Shelley Common.

Tumulus on Shelley Common. In a pasture field along the banks of a stream. A hollow on the south side of the mound (possible excavations?). <1> Unclassified mound said to have contained a skeleton which was dug up "within recent years", according to the RCHM. <2> A probable bowl barrow 65m in diameter, 0.3m high, at TL 54740509 in pasture along the banks of a stream. A hollow on the south side may be the result of excavations. <3> Two further much denuded mounds (?) to the north of the scheduled site. One 11 x 7m, other is smaller, both are c0.6m high. <1> 1981. Field Survey. Survey carried out in 1981, three mounds were located, all with traces of an outer ditch. The south barrow is c7m in diameter, 0.3m high, the central barrow is c5m in diameter, 0.25m high and the northern mound is oval in shape, 13m long x 9m wide and 0.40m high. The mounds are interpreted as denuded bronze age barrows. <4> <5> Photos in EHER, some in negative file only. <6> Other ref: <7> Site Assessment = There have been requests from treasure hunters but they were refused. <1> NRHE data import: An unclassified mound, 15ft in diameter by 1.5ft high, marked as Tumulus on OS", is said to have contained a skeleton which was dug up "within recent years". <2> "No trace of tumulus". (Nothing mentioned in ONB or VCH earthworks section). <8> September 1971. Field Survey. A probable bowl barrow, 6.5m in diameter, 0.3m in height, situated at TL 5474 0509, in a pasture field above the banks of a stream. A hollow on the south side of the mound may be the result of excavations. Published 1:2500 survey correct. <9> September 1975. Field Survey. Two more mounds lie in a line slightly east of north, and fifty and eighty four metres distant at TL 5476 0514 and TL 5477 0517. All are of similar appearance and size but no ditches are evident. They are located in a low-lying water meadow situation, in permanent pasture, beside a stream. They can only be described as possible barrows. Surveyed at 1:2500. <10> 1981. Field Survey. TL 547 051. A group of three slight mounds, in pasture, close to Cripsey Brooks were surveyed with the help of Leicester University students. The mounds range from 5m to 9m in diameter, 0.25m to 0.45m high with very slight traces of ditches. The mounds are interpreted as Bronze Age barrows. <5>