Round cairn 460m north of New Barn

Reasons for Designation

Round cairns are prehistoric funerary monuments dating to the Bronze Age (c.2000-700 BC). They were constructed as stone mounds covering single or multiple burials. These burials may be placed within the mound in stone-lined compartments called cists. In some cases the cairn was surrounded by a ditch. Often occupying prominent locations, cairns are a major visual element in the modern landscape. They are a relatively common feature of the uplands and are the stone equivalent of the earthen round barrows of the lowlands. Their considerable variation in form and longevity as a monument type provide important information on the diversity of beliefs and social organisation amongst early prehistoric communities. They are particularly representative of their period and a substantial proportion of surviving examples are considered worthy of protection.

The round cairn 460m north of New Barn is particularly important as a rare example of an undisturbed funerary monument. Additionally, small round cairns are uncommon upon the limestone plateau. The intact deposits within the monument are potentially of great value in understanding both the Bronze Age funerary rituals of this region and the society that practised them.

Details

The monument includes a prehistoric round cairn standing close to the edge of a ridgetop directly south of Miller's Dale. The cairn comprises a turf-covered mound of limestone, occupying fairly level ground within an area of unimproved grassland. This location provides extensive views in all directions.

The cairn measures 5.5m by 4.5m and stands 0.3m high, appearing well-defined and carefully constructed. There are no signs of disturbance to the surface of the cairn indicating that the monument has avoided damage through antiquarian excavation or quarrying. The size and location of the cairn indicate that it is Bronze Age in date and funerary in function.

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:

31298

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Barnatt, J W, Priestcliffe Lees nature reserve Archaeological survey 1993, (1993), 1,3

Other
Barnatt, J W, Peak District Barrow Survey, 1989, unpublished survey
Barnatt, J W, Peak District Barrow Survey, 1989, unpublished survey

End of official list entry

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