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 roughly circular bowl barrow situated 30m east of the henge
at Arbor Low in the central uplands of the limestone plateau of Derbyshire. It
includes a mound with a diameter of 11.5m by 10.5m and a height of c.0.75m. A
partial excavation was carried out by Thomas Bateman in 1844 when a corroded
piece of iron was found in a rock cut grave and interpreted as a spear socket.
The item indicates the use of the barrow in the Romano-British or Anglian
periods but it has not been confirmed that the barrow was built at this time.
Its close proximity to Arbor Low henge and stone circle, and to other
Prehistoric barrows, suggests it may have originated in the Bronze Age.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
12503
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
