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 two bowl barrows at Rockhurst are located 10m apart above an outcrop on
the south-eastern uplands of the limestone plateau of Derbyshire. The
monument includes both barrows within a single constraint area. The larger
barrow, situated adjacent to a quarry pit to the south-east, consists of a
steep-sided, sub-circular mound measuring 13.5m by 11.5m and surviving to a
height of c.1.5m. The top of the mound has been disturbed and it is possible
that this is the barrow on Brassington Moor partially excavated by Thomas
Bateman in 1849. The smaller north-western barrow has a diameter of 9.5m and
is c.0.2m high, having apparently been excavated almost to the old land
surface though there is no record of such an excavation. Clearly visible in
the remains of the smaller barrow are a stone cist and three rock-cut pits in
which burials will have been placed. These features and the overall
appearance of both barrows indicate that they are of Bronze Age date.
Excluded from the scheduling is the field wall which crosses the southern edge
of the south-eastern barrow but the ground underneath is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
13343
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
