Scheduled Monument: RINGHAM LOW BOWL BARROW (1008009)

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 Ringham Low bowl barrow has been disturbed by ploughing and excavation, it is an unusual example which, in addition to rare evidence of an in-situ cremation, retains further significant archaeological remains which will provide evidence of whether the barrow is prehistoric or Romano-British in origin. DETAILS Ringham Low bowl barrow is a sub-circular barrow situated in the central uplands of the limestone plateau of Derbyshire. The monument includes a mound measuring 16m by 14.5m and standing c.0.5m high. Ploughing has spread the barrow material and, originally, the mound would have been somewhat higher and more uniformly circular. Partial excavations were carried out by William Bateman in 1821 and by Thomas Bateman in 1843 and 1850 when traces of fire and the remains of three Romano-British urns were found in addition to numerous flints. The latter, together with the appearance of the barrow and its proximity to others datable to the Bronze Age, suggest that it too originated in this period. However, the urns indicate that it was re-used in the Roman period and may have been the site of an in-situ cremation. In this respect, and others, it is similar to nearby Friden Hollow bowl barrow. SELECTED SOURCES Book Reference - Author: Barnatt, J. - Title: The Peak District Barrow Survey - Date: 1989 - Type: DESC TEXT - Description: Site 8;18 Book Reference - Author: Barnatt, J. - Title: The Peak District Barrow Survey - Date: 1989 - Type: PLAN: MEASURED - Description: Site 8;18 Book Reference - Author: Bateman, T. - Title: Vestiges of the Antiquities of Derbyshire - Date: 1848 - Page References: 50 - Type: DESC TEXT Book Reference - Author: Bateman, Thomas - Title: Ten Years Diggings in Celtic and Saxon Grave-Hills (1861) - Date: 1861 - Page References: 64 - Type: DESC TEXT Book Reference - Author: Marsden B - Title: The Burial Mounds of Derbyshire (1977) - Date: 1977 - Page References: 73 - Type: DESC TEXT