Scheduled Monument: ROUND CAIRN ON HARLAND EDGE (1008602)

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION Round cairns are prehistoric funerary monuments dating to the Bronze Age (c.2000-700 BC). They were constructed as stone mounds covering single or multiple burials. These burials may be placed within the mound in stone-lined compartments called cists. In some cases the cairn was surrounded by a ditch. Often occupying prominent locations, cairns are a major visual element in the modern landscape. They are a relatively common feature of the uplands and are the stone equivalent of the earthen round barrows of the lowlands. Their considerable variation in form and longevity as a monument type provide important information on the diversity of beliefs and social organisation amongst early prehistoric communities. They are particularly representative of their period and a substantial proportion of surviving examples are considered worthy of protection. The cairn is a reasonably well preserved example which, although partially disturbed by a shooting butt, retains significant intact archaeological remains. Also of importance is its proximity to other Bronze Age cairns and its association with a relict Bronze Age landscape. DETAILS The monument is situated on the north east facing slope below the crest of Harland Edge which is in the area of the eastern gritstone moorlands of the Peak District commonly known as the East Moors. It includes a gritstone cairn with a diameter of c.4.5m and a height of c.0.5m. The original form of the cairn is uncertain because it has had a shooting butt built into the side, but it is likely to have been roughly circular. It is one of several cairns to be found on Harland Edge, all of which are assigned to the Bronze Age on the basis of form, excavated evidence and their proximity to the extensive Bronze Age field systems occurring below Harland Edge on Beeley Moor and Beeley Warren. SELECTED SOURCES Book Reference - Author: Barnatt, John - Date: 1993 - Type: PERS COMM Article Reference - Author: Barnatt, John - Title: Bronze Age Remains on the East Moors of the Peak District - Date: 1986 - Journal Title: Derbyshire Archaeological Journal - Volume: 106 - Page References: 63 - Type: DESC TEXT - Description: Cairn 74