Borther Low bowl barrow

Reasons for Designation

Bowl barrows, the most numerous form of round barrow, are funerary monuments dating from the Late Neolithic period to the Late Bronze Age, with most examples belonging to the period 2400-1500 BC. They were constructed as earthen or rubble mounds, sometimes ditched, which covered single or multiple burials. They occur either in isolation or grouped as cemeteries and often acted as a focus for burials in later periods. Often superficially similar, although differing widely in size, they exhibit regional variations in form and a diversity of burial practices. There are over 10,000 surviving bowl barrows recorded nationally (many more have already been destroyed), occurring across most of lowland Britain. Often occupying prominent locations, they are a major historic element in the modern landscape and their considerable variation of form and longevity as a monument type provide important information on the diversity of beliefs and social organisations amongst early prehistoric communities. They are particularly representative of their period and a substantial proportion of surviving examples are considered worthy of protection.

Although Borther Low bowl barrow has been partially disturbed by excavation, it is still a reasonably well-preserved example in which significant archaeological remains survive.

Details

Borther Low bowl barrow is situated on Gratton Moor in the central uplands of the limestone plateau of Derbyshire. The monument includes a sub-circular mound measuring 19m x 16m and standing c.1m high. During partial excavations carried out by Thomas Bateman in 1843 and 1849, a primary burial was found at the centre of the mound and a secondary burial on the south side. Both were crouched inhumations and the latter was accompanied by a flat bronze axe, a flint arrowhead and the remains of a pottery food vessel. Other flint artefacts and pot sherds were found in addition to traces of a limestone pavement. The remains indicate a Bronze Age date for the barrow.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract. It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features, considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

23238

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Barnatt, J, The Peak District Barrow Survey (1989), (1989)
Barnatt, J, The Peak District Barrow Survey (1989), (1989)
Bateman, T, Ten Years Diggings in Celtic and Saxon Grave-Hills, (1861), 45
Bateman, T, Vestiges of the Antiquities of Derbyshire, (1849), 48
Marsden, B M, The Burial Mounds of Derbyshire , (1977), 38

End of official list entry

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