Reasons for Designation
A hlaew is a burial monument of Anglo-Saxon or Viking date and comprising a
hemispherical mound of earth and redeposited bedrock constructed over a
primary burial or burials. These were usually inhumations, buried in a grave
cut into the subsoil beneath the mound, but cremations placed on the old
ground surface beneath the mound have also been found. Hlaews may occur
in pairs or in small groups; a few have accompanying flat graves. Constructed
during the pagan Saxon and Viking periods for individuals of high rank, they
served as visible and ostentatious markers of their social position. Some
were associated with territorial claims and appear to have been specifically
located to mark boundaries. They often contain objects which give information
on the range of technological skill and trading contacts of the period. Only
between 50 and 60 hlaews have been positively identified in England. As a
rare monument class all positively identified examples are considered worthy
of preservation.
Details
The monument includes a hlaew of Anglo-Saxon date known as Stand Low. It is
situated within the southern uplands of the limestone plateau.
The monument comprises a large, turf-covered, earthen mound standing at the
highest point of a raised shelf to the west of Newton Grange. This location
confers extensive views in all directions except to the west. The monument is
overlooked by a prehistoric barrow known as Moat Low which is clearly visible
some 550m to the north west. The mound measures 20m by 17m and stands 0.6m
high. There are two minor disturbances on top of the mound that are
indicative of Thomas Bateman's excavation of 1845. At the centre of the
barrow a single inhumation of Anglian (seventh century AD) date was found.
Interred with the body were two iron knives, a circular bronze box and silver
needle, two bronze buckles and a necklace consisting of ten glass beads and a
silver wire bead. The grave goods recovered by Bateman are typical of an
individual of high social standing. The hlaew represents a ceremonial site
and indicates the importance of the surrounding area during the early medieval
period.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
31301
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
