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
Galley Low bowl barrow is a roughly circular cairn situated on Brassington
Moor in the south-eastern uplands of the limestone plateau of Derbyshire. The
monument includes a mound measuring 31m by 28m by c.2m high and the
surrounding construction ditch which is buried beneath accumulated soil.
Originally the barrow was somewhat larger, its edges having been reduced by
agricultural activity. In addition, the mound has been partially disturbed by
excavations carried out by Thomas Bateman in 1843 and 1844. During these
excavations, the barrow was found to contain at least eight adult and child
skeletons, including one associated with a cremation on a flat stone and
another with a pottery food vessel. These and other objects date the barrow
to the Bronze Age, during which time it had an extended period of use. In
addition, iron rivets and arrowheads, a glazed pot-sherd and a seventh century
necklace indicate the re-use of the barrow in the Anglian period. Bateman's
account of his excavations also indicates that, in the late eighteenth
century, a second smaller ditched cairn lay adjacent to Galley Low on its
south side. Insufficient is known about the location and condition of this
second barrow, however, and it has not been included in the scheduling.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
13328
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
