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The unique early bronze age mound in the churchyard at Ogbourne St Andrew had suffered from many years of neglect and was very overgrown before a community clearance effort. There were various suggestions: it was situated on an earlier Neolithic structure; it had been used as a motte and baliey castle; it had been the site of a windmill. To investigate these claims, together with professional archaeologists, we have carried out a resistivity slice survey on this fascinating multi period site. Since the mound is a Scheduled Monument, permission from Historic England was required.
Clearance of undergrowth:
The first phase of the project to clear many years of undergrowth and fallen trees was carried out in late 2018 by a small groups of volunteers working to cut the weeds and shrubs. (see photo gallery - clearance)
Tree removal:
As a result of contact with Historic England to obtain advice on the subsequent maintenance of the barrow, it was placed on the "Monument at Risk Register", with a number of diseased and leaning trees creating a threat to the barrow. An application to Historic England for grant funding to remove trees (see photo gallery - tree removal) and replant with grass was successful and the tree clearance was undertaken in July 2019. March 2020 saw a "field walk" ( an almost forensic fingertip search of the barrow surface ) carried out by volunteers from the History Group, the Wiltshire Archaeological Field Group and members of Gloucester Archaeology. In addition to removing a few artefacts the surface was carefully raked and prepared for grass seed planting. Our thanks to all the volunteers who seemingly very much enjoyed the activity. (see photo gallery - field walk). The subsequent three years maintenace will be supported by Historic England. To see the Field Walking Report click here
Resisitivity and topographical survey: