Gernos Mountain Round Barrow Cemetery

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Monument.

The monument comprises the remains of a prehistoric barrow cemetery, probably dating to the Bronze Age (c. 2300 - 800 BC). The cemetery contains the remains of three predominantly earthen round barrows, situated within enclosed pasture and forestry on the summit of Gernos Mountain. The westernmost barrow (Item 'A') is circular on plan and measures c. 17m in diameter and a maximum of 0.65m in height. A central depression may indicate antiquarian investigation or robbing. The middle barrow (Item 'B') is located c. 30m to the SE of Item 'A'. It is circular on plan and measures c. 16m in diameter and a maximum of 0.5m in height. The easternmost barrow (Item 'C') is located c. 60m to the NE of Item 'B'. It is circular on plan and measures c. 14m in diameter and a maximum of 0.7m in height. Items 'A' and 'B' have been reduced in size by ploughing in the past. Despite this disturbance, the bulk of each barrow remains intact and well defined.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of prehistoric burial and ritual practices. The features are important relics of a prehistoric funerary and ritual landscape and retain significant archaeological potential. There is a strong probability of the presence of both intact burial or ritual deposits, together with environmental and structural evidence. The importance of the monument is further enhanced by the group value formed by the association of the individual barrows within the cemetery.

The scheduled areas comprise the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive. Area 'A', incorporating Items 'A' and 'B', is rectangular and measures 70m NW-SE by 35m transversely. Area 'B', centred on Item 'C', is circular and measures 20m in diameter.