Goffers Knoll facts for kids
Goffers Knoll is a small, rounded hill located right on the border between Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire in eastern England. It sits east of the town of Royston and south of Melbourn. This knoll is actually a part of the chalk uplands that stretch west and eventually form the famous Chiltern Hills. Standing about 60 meters (nearly 200 feet) above sea level, Goffers Knoll is easy to spot from the A505 road that passes by to its south.
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Discovering Goffers Knoll's Secrets
Goffers Knoll isn't just a pretty hill; it holds an important secret! Hidden among the trees at its top is an ancient burial mound called a bowl barrow. This special mound dates all the way back to the Bronze Age, a time when people first started using bronze tools and weapons. Experts believe this barrow is still mostly intact, meaning it's very well-preserved.
What is a Bowl Barrow?
A bowl barrow is a type of ancient burial mound shaped like an upside-down bowl. People in the Bronze Age built these mounds to bury their dead, often with valuable items. The Goffers Knoll barrow is quite large, measuring 21 meters (about 69 feet) across and standing 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) high from the ground.
A Protected Ancient Site
Because of its historical importance, Goffers Knoll is protected as a scheduled ancient monument. This means it's a nationally important archaeological site that is legally protected from damage or changes. If the trees weren't there, this ancient mound would have been a very clear landmark for travelers on the old Icknield Way, which is now the A505 road. It would have also offered great views over the low-lying land towards Duxford and Cambridge.
Exploring the Past: Excavations
People have been curious about the Goffers Knoll barrow for a long time. Digs, or "excavations," were carried out here by RC Neville in the mid-1800s. More digging happened again around 1920. These excavations help archaeologists learn more about the people who lived in the Bronze Age and how they buried their dead.
