Stand Low hlaew

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.

The hlaew known as Stand Low is extremely important as a surviving example of an Anglian barrow in good condition. Much of the mound remains intact and will contain undisturbed archaeological information. The hlaew potentially contains complete secondary cremations or inhumations and associated grave goods. The monument represents part of a small but very important resource for understanding the funerary rituals, technology and social standing of high rank individuals during the seventh century AD. Stand Low forms one of a small cluster of hlaews spread across the region.

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.

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:

31301

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Taylor, H J, Standlow Farm, Newton Grange Rapid Farm Survey, (1999)
Taylor, H J, Standlow Farm, Newton Grange Rapid Farm Survey, (1999)
Barnatt, J, The Peak District Barrow Survey (1989), (1989), 9:12
Barnatt, J, The Peak District Barrow Survey (1989), (1989), 9:12
Bateman, T, Vestiges of the Antiquities of Derbyshire, (1849), 75
Bateman, T, Vestiges of the Antiquities of Derbyshire, (1849), 74-76

End of official list entry

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