Reasons for Designation
Hlaews are pre-Christian burial monuments of Anglo-Saxon or Viking date and
may be found singly or in small groups. Typically they are constructed of
earth and usually comprise a low hemispherical mound or a combination of
mound, inner ditch and outer bank covering one or more burials which may be
inhumations, cremations or both. Most hlaews contain rich grave-goods,
indicating the high status of the occupants, and these goods date Anglian
hlaews to the late sixth and seventh centuries AD and Viking hlaews to the
ninth century. There are only between fifty and sixty authenticated hlaews
recorded nationally, with particular concentrations in the Peak District and
Wiltshire. They are one of a restricted range of monuments from the Anglian
and Viking periods and contain evidence not only of burial customs and craft
skills but also of colonisation and settlement patterns. Because of this, and
due to their extreme rarity, all surviving hlaews are considered to be of
national importance.
Although disturbed by ploughing and partial excavation, Wyaston hlaew is
reasonably well preserved and retains significant archaeological remains.
Details
Wyaston hlaew, or Anglian barrow, is situated on the southern fringes of the
Derbyshire Peak District. The monument includes a bowl-shaped mound
measuring 27m by 22.5m and surviving to a height of c.0.75m. Originally, the
barrow was more uniformly circular and somewhat higher; but ploughing has
lowered its profile and distorted its shape. In 1852, Samuel Carrington
carried out a partial excavation of the site and recovered human teeth, which
were all that survived of a skeleton, accompanied by a necklace of
twenty-seven beads, a finger ring of knotted silver wire, silver earrings and
a circular brooch. Five of the beads of the necklace were amber while the rest
were red or white porcelain variegated with blue, red and yellow. The
artefacts indicate that the barrow was constructed during the seventh century
AD and that the occupant was probably female.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
13373
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
