Monument record 791 - Bowl barrow 160m North-east of Moultonbank Farm

<1> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, Vol.III p.264 (Book). SCH1389.

Tumulus described by Ormerod on summit of ridge near Moulton. "On the highest point of the ridge is a tumulus of considerable elevation, and an extraordinarily large diameter".

<2> Thompson Watkin W. T., 1886, Roman Cheshire: A Description of Roman Remains in the County of Chester, p.314 (Book). SCH2878.

Of Botontini, or mounds raised by the Roman Agrimensores as landmarks, and which are usually composed of all sorts of materials, except the soil on which they stand, so that their purpose might for all ages be identified, there are probably a considerable number in the county, but without excavation it would be premature to pronounce definitely, except in a few instances….. A third seems to be at Moulton (Davenham Parish), and was noticed by Ormerod, who says: “On the highest point of the ridge is a tumulus of considerable elevation, and an extraordinarily large diameter”.

<3> Longley D, 1977-1978, Longley Archive, no.121 (Paper Archive). SCH2005.

Mound is distinctive in the surrounding landscape, which is gently undulating. Investigation by T. Clare in Aug 1972 showed that the possible site was sandier than the rest of the field and was ploughed regularly. The mound was occupied by a water tower until c.10-20 years ago.

Hard to say if a positive natural deposit or not - probable mound - an aerial photograph revealed the mound as a light-coloured circle with a split to the north-east, possibly caused by a pipe from the tower. Dimensions 35 metres by 1.5 metres. [Fergusson AJ & Brown R. 25/10/1977].

Profile survey and photograph. N166. [LD, SJ, PW. 26/09/1978].

<4> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, Vol.I p.83 (Book). SCH3556.

Round earthen mound; diameter 35 metres; height 1.5 metres. Previously surmounted by water tower.

<5> English Heritage, Various, Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Amendment), 22596 (Scheduling Record). SCH2950.

The monument is a bowl barrow located on the summit of a glacial mound 160m north-east of Moultonbank Farm. It includes an earthen mound 35m in diameter and up to 1.5m high. Despite limited plough damage, the bowl barrow 160m north-east of Moultonbank Farm survives reasonably well. It is a rare survival in Cheshire of an unexcavated example of this class of monument and will contain undisturbed archaeological deposits within the mound and upon the old land surface beneath.