Scheduled Monument: GALLEY LOW BOWL BARROW (1010100)

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 Galley Low bowl barrow is somewhat degraded by ploughing and has been disturbed by partial excavation, it is still an impressive and reasonably well-preserved example and retains sufficient intact deposits to be considered of national importance. DETAILS Galley Low bowl barrow is a roughly circular cairn situated on Brassington Moor in the south-eastern uplands of the limestone plateau of Derbyshire. The monument includes a mound measuring 31m by 28m by c.2m high and the surrounding construction ditch which is buried beneath accumulated soil. Originally the barrow was somewhat larger, its edges having been reduced by agricultural activity. In addition, the mound has been partially disturbed by excavations carried out by Thomas Bateman in 1843 and 1844. During these excavations, the barrow was found to contain at least eight adult and child skeletons, including one associated with a cremation on a flat stone and another with a pottery food vessel. These and other objects date the barrow to the Bronze Age, during which time it had an extended period of use. In addition, iron rivets and arrowheads, a glazed pot-sherd and a seventh century necklace indicate the re-use of the barrow in the Anglian period. Bateman's account of his excavations also indicates that, in the late eighteenth century, a second smaller ditched cairn lay adjacent to Galley Low on its south side. Insufficient is known about the location and condition of this second barrow, however, and it has not been included in the scheduling. SELECTED SOURCES Book Reference - Author: Barnatt, J. - Title: The Peak District Barrow Survey - Type: DESC TEXT Book Reference - Author: Barnatt, J. - Title: The Peak District Barrow Survey - Type: PLAN: MEASURED Book Reference - Author: Bateman, Thomas - Title: Vestiges of the Antiquities of Derbyshire - Date: 1849 - Page References: 53-4 - Type: DESC TEXT Book Reference - Author: Bateman, Thomas - Title: Vestiges of the Antiquities of Derbyshire - Date: 1849 - Page References: 37-39 - Type: DESC TEXT Book Reference - Author: Marsden, B. M. - Title: The Burial Mounds of Derbyshire - Date: 1986 - Page References: 24 - Type: DESC TEXT Article Reference - Author: Fowler, M J - Title: The Anglian Settlement of the Derbys-Staffs. Peak District - Date: 1954 - Journal Title: Derbyshire Archaeological Journal - Volume: 74 - Page References: 146-7 - Type: DESC TEXT - Description: Pagination 134-151 Article Reference - Author: Manby T G - Title: Food Vessels of the Peak District (1957) - Date: 1957 - Journal Title: Derbyshire Archaeological Journal - Volume: 77 - Page References: 1-29 - Type: DESC TEXT