Scheduled Monument: BOWL BARROW IN FOGGY LEES PLANTATION (1008061)

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 partly excavated, the bowl barrow in Foggy Lees Plantation retains further significant archaeological remains and evidence of important architectural features. DETAILS The monument is a roughly circular bowl barrow situated above Flax Dale in the central uplands of the limestone plateau of Derbyshire. It includes a mound measuring 17m in diameter and c.0.75m high and was partially excavated on three occasions by Thomas Bateman, once in 1847 and twice in 1849. Bateman found that the barrow consists of an earth layer covering a stone cairn which is retained by a drystone kerb two courses high. Within the kerb on the west side, found within a partially walled rock-cut grave, was a cremation covered by a collared urn. A second cremation was found in the kerb on the north side, accompanied by another decayed urn. Further disturbed human remains were found, in addition to numerous flints, potsherds, melted lead and a fragment of a polished stone axe. The latter was probably residual; that is, part of the material used to construct the barrow. The other remains date the monument to the Bronze Age. SELECTED SOURCES Book Reference - Author: Abercromby, J. - Title: The Bronze Age Pottery of Great Britain - Date: 1912 - Page References: 89 - Type: DESC TEXT - Description: Pl LXIX Book Reference - Author: Barnatt, John - Title: The Peak District Barrow Survey - Date: 1989 - Type: DESC TEXT - Description: Site 8;15 Book Reference - Author: Barnatt, John - Title: The Peak District Barrow Survey - Date: 1989 - Type: PLAN: MEASURED - Description: Site 8;15 Book Reference - Author: Bateman, T. - Title: Vestiges of the Antiquities of Derbyshire - Date: 1848 - Page References: 100-1 - Type: DESC TEXT Book Reference - Author: Bateman, Thomas - Title: Ten Years Diggings in Celtic and Saxon Grave-Hills - Date: 1861 - Page References: 62-4 - Type: DESC TEXT Book Reference - Author: Marsden B - Title: The Burial Mounds of Derbyshire (1977) - Date: 1977 - Page References: 75 - Type: DESC TEXT