Slightly blurred photograph taken across the fields from the carpark at Maiden Castle
This is the huge Bronze Age round barrow
that can be seen just to the north of Maiden
Castle and is one of the largest mounds in Dorset measuring 55 metres in diameter
and over 3.5 metres tall. It was part of a group of round barrows and earthworks
that seem to be related to an earlier long barrow that has since be ploughed away.
It has only ever been partly excavated – a secondary burial of the Roman
era was discovered in 1862.
Ann Woodward in her book "British Barrows, a matter of life and death" goes into great detail about viewsheds from the top of the barrow and suggests that it was enlarged and heightened over time specifically for this purpose. Her evidence is certainly convincing, from the base of the barrow the views are limited, from the top there are sightlines to several long barrows as well as extensive views to the north and east from the North Dorset Ridge to Purbeck.
Ann Woodward in her book "British Barrows, a matter of life and death" goes into great detail about viewsheds from the top of the barrow and suggests that it was enlarged and heightened over time specifically for this purpose. Her evidence is certainly convincing, from the base of the barrow the views are limited, from the top there are sightlines to several long barrows as well as extensive views to the north and east from the North Dorset Ridge to Purbeck.