Scheduled Monument: CALLING LOW BOWL BARROW (1008003)

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. Calling Low bowl barrow is a well-preserved example which has suffered only limited disturbance and retains significant archaeological remains. DETAILS Calling Low bowl barrow is situated east of Cales Dale in the central uplands of the limestone plateau of Derbyshire. The monument includes a partly natural sub-circular mound measuring 13m by 11m and standing c.1.5m high. This was partially excavated in 1846 by Thomas Bateman, when a cist was found near the surface of the mound, inserted into a natural knoll. The cist contained a crouched human skeleton, a sandstone sphere, the leg bones of a dog and two flint implements. These remains indicate a Bronze Age date for the barrow. The drystone wall which crosses the monument is excluded from the scheduling though the ground underneath is included. SELECTED SOURCES Book Reference - Author: Barnatt, John - Title: The Peak District Barrow Survey - Date: 1989 - Type: DESC TEXT - Description: Site 18;11 Book Reference - Author: Barnatt, John - Title: The Peak District Barrow Survey - Date: 1989 - Type: PLAN: MEASURED - Description: Site 18;11 Book Reference - Author: Bateman, T. - Title: Vestiges of the Antiquities of Derbyshire - Date: 1848 - Page References: 98-99 - Type: DESC TEXT Book Reference - Author: Marsden B - Title: The Burial Mounds of Derbyshire (1977) - Date: 1977 - Page References: 102 - Type: DESC TEXT