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 bowl barrow surmounted by the base of a medieval wayside
cross. Formerly the cross would also have included a shaft and a cross head
but these are now missing, possibly as a result of 16th or 17th century
iconoclasm.
The barrow comprises a low, roughly circular mound of earth and stones
measuring 7.5m by 7m and standing 0.3m high. Its form and hilltop location,
together with its proximity to other barrows on Calton Pasture, indicate a
probable Bronze Age date.
The cross base or socle is a finely dressed sandstone block with three sloping
sides and one vertical side and a rectangular socket hole measuring 30cm by
27cm by 15cm deep. It stands c.35cm high and measures 65cm by 55cm at the
base, tapering to 45cm square. Locally it is known as the Christening Stone
and is located in Stump Cross Field. It is also the subject of several local
legends, one of which indicates that it was moved to the village in the
18th or 19th century but was replaced in its original position after bad luck
afflicted its subsequent owners. Approximately 100m downhill from the socle is
a roughly dressed post of the same sandstone which, it has been suggested, is
the original shaft. This seems unlikely due to the contrasting neatness of the
socle and the fact that the depth of the socket hole suggests a shaft of
greater height. Also, one face of the post is cut at an angle suggesting that
it may have been part of a squeeze-through stile. The barrow and cross base
are situated next to an ancient right of way which leads through the village
of Pilsley, linking up with roads from Bakewell and Baslow. Its location on an
established route between settlements suggests that one possible function of
the cross was to mark the route for churchgoers or to act as a place where the
coffin could be set down during funeral processions.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
23361
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Other
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
