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
Burton Moor bowl barrow is located on the limestone plateau of Derbyshire,
north of Grindlow on the eastern shelves south of the River Wye. The monument
includes a roughly circular cairn measuring 15m by 14m and standing c.1.5m
high. The north and west sides of the barrow have been somewhat disturbed in
the past by stone robbers, probably at the time of the Enclosures. In 1849
the barrow was partially excavated by Thomas Bateman who found a primary rock-
cut grave containing three crouched skeletons, two of which were female.
These were accompanied by a number of flint implements and a jet necklace and
had been covered over with stones on which were found animal bones and the
remains of a human cremation. These remains indicate a Bronze Age date for
the barrow while, higher up in the mound, were found the remains of a
secondary Anglian interment. This was accompanied by a bronze bowl and a
silver-plated ring which Bateman calls a frame for an enamel. Excluded from
the scheduling are the drystone walls crossing the monument but the ground
underneath is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
13364
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
