The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
Historic Environment Record
 

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Chambered Tomb, Thornwell Farm

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 04432g
Trust : Glamorgan Gwent
Community : Chepstow
Unitary authority : Monmouthshire
NGR : ST53959167
Site Type (preferred type first) : Bronze Age Chambered tomb
Status : Scheduled Monument

Summary :
The present visit identified a large oval mound, with a level top, situated within a modern housing estate in the centre of an urban green. The mound stands quite high, is aligned NNE-SSW and takes advantage of a lynchet in its sitting; the presence of a

Description :
The present visit identified a large oval mound, with a level top, situated within a modern housing estate in the centre of an urban green. The mound stands quite high, is aligned NNE-SSW and takes advantage of a lynchet in its sitting; the presence of a mature oak growing on the NE of the mound and the presence of the lynchet may indicate a former field boundary. The mound has a regularly defined perimeter, but the NW periphery utilises the lynchet and is therefore harder to identify.The mound's SE perimeter is clearly defined although much lower in height than its opposite side. There are 3 stones placed within the W perimeter at staggered intervals, which appear regular in their form and setting, and may possibly indicate an intended boundary. There was no visible ditch or, with the exception of the afore mentioned 3 stones, any kerbstones around the mound's perimeter. The mound is characterised to the N by a haphazard arrangement of boulders (0.1m-0.3m in size) around the base of the oak with one large elongated stone aligned NE-SW. A large (3.2m x 1.5m) rectangular feature of four stones creating an enclosed hollow occupies the E area of the mound's flattened top. While an exposed walled feature of stones laid end to end partially encloses and defines the NW and SW limits of the mound's level top.
Dimensions: Dia; 17m NE-SW x 12.5m SE-NW Hght; 0.2m E x 1.5m N
(1992) Long barrow and Round barrow at Thornwell Farm. Long barrow: A rather ill defined oval mound c.16m by 10m, and c.1.5m high. It occupies a break of slope down a shallow dry valley. A large tree on the mound and its general abraded character suggest that it had been incorporated in a recent hedge bank or lynchet. Excavation revealed a drystone revetment, one large and two small megalithic chambers, one with a porthole, together with articulated and disarticulated human bones, pottery and flint etc.
(Source 2)
GGAT 72 Prehistoric Funerary and Ritual Sites Project 2003

Sources :
Cadw , Revised Entry to the Schedule of Monuments
CPM , 1990 , Preliminary Archaeological Assessment of Land at Thornwell, Chepstow. ( © CPM)
Doyle J , 1991 , Thornwell Farm, Chepstow. Archaeological Watching Brief ( © GGAT)
GGAT , 1991 , Proposed Development of Land At Thornwell Farm Chepstow, Field Evaluation ( © GGAT)
Hughes G , 1992 , Thornwell Farm, Chepstow, 1992: Area II Assessment and Post Excavation Research Design
Leach P , 1992 , Thornwell Farm, Chepstow, Gwent. Area 1: A Further Archaeological Assessment.
Leach P , 1992 , Thornwell Farm, Chepstow: Phase 3 Archaeological Investigation. An Interim Report on preliminary survey and excavation work in Area II.
Roese H.E. , 1982 , Some aspects of Topographical locations of Neolithic and Bronze age monuments in Wales - IV - Chambered Tombs and Burial Chambers. , The Bulletin of the Board of Celtic Studies : XXIX pt.IV : 763-775
Pm desc text/Evans EM/2003/GGAT 72 Prehistoric Funerary and Ritual Sites Project
02/MM Desc Text/Cadw/1992/AM107
01/pm desc text/GGAT//1991/Thornwell Assess/

Events :
E000335 : THORNWELL FARM Chambered Tomb (year : 1990)
E000337 : Preliminary Archaeological Assessment of Land at Thornwell, Chepstow. (year : 1990)
E000360 : Thornwell Farm, Chepstow, Gwent. Area 1: A Further Archaeological Assessment. (year : 1992)
E000361 : Land at Thornwell Farm,Chepstow (year : 1991)
E003859 : Thornwell Farm Area II, Chepstow EXCAV (year : 1992)
E000338 : Thornwell Farm, Chepstow Archaeological Watching Brief (year : 1991)
E002220 : Newhouse Farm, Manufacturers Village Centre (year : 1995)
E002224 : Newhouse Farm (year : 1996)

Related records
National Monuments Record NPRN 95598
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 4440g
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 4441g
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 4460g
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 01200g
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 01201g
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 05341g - 05343g
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 05344g

Compiled date : 18-12-1990


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