Brown Low bowl barrow

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.

Despite a combination of tree root damage and limited antiquarian investigation, Brown Low bowl barrow survives reasonably well. This investigation found cremated bone and traces of a funeral fire, and further evidence of interments will exist within the mound and upon the old land surface beneath.

Details

The monument includes Brown Low bowl barrow located on the southern edge of high ground to the north east of Marple, from where there are extensive views to the west and south. It includes an earth and stone mound up to 2m high and measuring 25.5m in diameter. There are two hollows on the mound's summit which are a legacy of limited antiquarian investigation undertaken by Rev Marriott in 1809 during which fragments of cremated bone were found and soil marks indicating the presence of a funeral fire were observed.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract. It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features, considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

23740

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Marriott, Reverend W, The Antiquities of Lyme, (1810), 375-384

Other
SMR No. 5/1/0, Gt Manchester SMR, Barrow at Brown Low, (1989)
Darvill, T., MPP Single Monument Class Description - Bowl Barrows, (1988)

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