Monument record 705 - Possible site of Bronze Age Barrows near the River Weaver

Alleged site of 2 barrows. Where the river Weaver leaves its parallel course with Watling Street & assumes a north-west course towards the Mersey estuary, 'two considerable tumuli, in a perfect state, remain close to the banks of the river' (1). Apart from Owle Wood, the area centred at SJ 626742 is grass covered & mainly lowlying. East of the Weaver, are several long natural ridges but nothing that could be mistaken for a barrow. At SJ 62467402 are 2 low, elongated mounds, the remains of butts of a rifle range. Could not be mistaken for barrows. In area SJ 63007350 are some large natural mounds, which may have given rise to the report, but this area is only a loose interpretation of the siting information given by Ormerod (2).

<1> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, 2/2 (N) (Book). SCH1389.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ67SW2/1961 (Index). SCH2487.

<3> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, 1/86 Longley D 1987 (Book). SCH3556.

<4> Longley D, 1977-1978, Longley Archive, /no.48 & 49 (Paper Archive). SCH2005.