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
Putwell Hill lies north of Monsal Dale and is part of the limestone plateau of
Derbyshire. The monument includes a sub-circular cairn measuring 17m by 13m
and standing c.1m high. Originally the barrow would have been more uniformly
round but it has been somewhat depleted by stone-robbing for the construction
of the three drystone walls that converge on it. This activity probably
occurred in the late seventeenth or early eighteenth centuries and has
disturbed the archaeological remains that lie at the centre of the barrow. In
1850, Thomas Bateman carried out a partial excavation of the site and found
evidence of both cremation and inhumation burials. These remains were not in
association with any datable artefacts but the appearance of the barrow and
its proximity to others of the period indicate a Bronze Age date. The walls
crossing the monument are excluded from the scheduling though the ground
underneath is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
13384
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
