Scheduled Monument: MIDDLETON MOOR PLATFORMED BOWL BARROW (1009028)

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 minor excavation and stone-robbing, Middleton Moor bowl barrow is still a well preserved and largely intact example containing significant archaeological remains. The construction of the barrow on a platform appears to be unique in the Peak District. DETAILS Middleton Moor bowl barrow is located on the western edge of Middleton Moor in the south-eastern uplands of the limestone plateau of Derbyshire. The monument includes a steep-sided cairn and an impressive platform on which the cairn was built. The platform measures 27.5m by 23.5m while the barrow measures 19m by 16.5m by c.3m high. The diameter of the platform on the south side has been reduced in the past by the construction of a dry stone wall, apparently using stone from the cairn. Only the foundations of this wall now survive and so, as their disturbance would damage the monument, they are included in the scheduling. In addition, the surface of the mound is slightly disturbed where a small-scale amateur excavation was carried out in the 1970s on the south-east side of the monument. During this excavation, human skeletal remains were recovered along with a complete food vessel which dates the barrow to the Bronze Age. In addition, sherds of Roman Derbyshire Ware pottery have also been found on the surface of the barrow and in the excavation trench. These indicate the re-use of the monument in the Romano-British period. SELECTED SOURCES Book Reference - Author: Barnatt, J - Title: The Peak District Barrow Survey (1989) - Date: 1989 - Type: DESC TEXT Book Reference - Author: Barnatt, J - Title: The Peak District Barrow Survey (1989) - Date: 1989 - Type: PLAN: MEASURED Book Reference - Author: Cooper, L B - Type: FINDS - Description: Notes on Roman pottery sherds Book Reference - Author: Marsden B - Title: The Burial Mounds of Derbyshire (1977) - Date: 1977 - Page References: 76 - Type: DESC TEXT