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.
Details
The monument is a roughly circular bowl barrow situated above Flax Dale in the
central uplands of the limestone plateau of Derbyshire. It includes a mound
measuring 17m in diameter and c.0.75m high and was partially excavated on
three occasions by Thomas Bateman, once in 1847 and twice in 1849. Bateman
found that the barrow consists of an earth layer covering a stone cairn which
is retained by a drystone kerb two courses high. Within the kerb on the west
side, found within a partially walled rock-cut grave, was a cremation covered
by a collared urn. A second cremation was found in the kerb on the north side,
accompanied by another decayed urn. Further disturbed human remains were
found, in addition to numerous flints, potsherds, melted lead and a fragment
of a polished stone axe. The latter was probably residual; that is, part of
the material used to construct the barrow. The other remains date the monument
to the Bronze Age.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
23263
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
