Scheduled Monument: TWO BOWL BARROWS EAST OF HAY DALE (1008811)

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. Although the two bowl barrows east of Hay Dale have been disturbed by ploughing both are reasonably well-preserved and retain significant areas of intact archaeological remains. DETAILS The monument is situated overlooking Hay Dale on the limestone plateau of Derbyshire. It comprises a single area containing two bowl barrows located c.10m apart and the area between the barrows in which archaeological remains preserving their relationship will survive. The smaller eastern barrow is roughly circular, has a diameter of c.10m and survives to a height of c.0.5m. It has been ploughed down in the past and would originally have stood somewhat higher. The eastern half of the adjacent barrow has also been levelled by ploughing though it is still clearly visible beneath the drystone wall which crosses the barrow from north to south. The western half of this barrow has been slightly disturbed by stone-robbing but is otherwise intact and stands to a height of c.1m. It measures 14m from north to south and roughly half that measurement from east to west, indicating that it too was roughly circular but somewhat larger than the barrow to the east. No recorded excavation of either barrow has been carried out but their appearance and proximity to other barrows of the period indicate both to be of Bronze Age date. The wall crossing the monument is excluded from the scheduling though the ground underneath is included. SELECTED SOURCES Book Reference - Author: Barnatt, J - Title: The Peak District Barrow Survey (1989) - Date: 1989 - Type: DESC TEXT Book Reference - Author: Barnatt, J - Title: The Peak District Barrow Survey (1989) - Date: 1989 - Type: PLAN: MEASURED