Scheduled Monument: ROUND LOW BOWL BARROW (1013648)

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 partially disturbed by excavation and mining activity, Round Low bowl barrow is still substantially intact and a visually impressive example. DETAILS Round Low bowl barrow is a roughly circular barrow situated near Harborough Rocks on Hopton Moor in the south-eastern uplands of the limestone plateau of Derbyshire. The monument includes a mound measuring 18.5m by 16.5m and standing c.2m high. The barrow is situated on the edge of Bee Nest Mine and is slightly damaged in the top and sides, probably by miners who dug into it believing it to be a spoil heap left behind after earlier lead exploration. In 1848 it was partially excavated by Thomas Bateman and a pottery urn discovered which contained flint artefacts and calcined bones from a human cremation. These indicate a Bronze Age date for the barrow. SELECTED SOURCES Book Reference - Author: Barnatt, J - Title: The Peak District Barrow Survey (1989) - Date: 1989 Book Reference - Author: Barnatt, J - Title: The Peak District Barrow Survey (1989) - Date: 1989 Book Reference - Author: Bateman, Thomas - Title: Ten Years Diggings in Celtic and Saxon Grave-Hills - Date: 1861 - Page References: 37 - Type: DESC TEXT