Scheduled Monument: BOWL BARROW ON WITHERY LOW (1008936)

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, the south-western bowl barrow on Withery Low is a well preserved example with significant intact archaeological remains. DETAILS Withery Low, also known as Withered Low, is part of Wormhill Moor and lies on the limestone plateau of Derbyshire north of Wye Dale. The monument includes the south-western of a pair of barrows spaced c.50m apart at the top of the hill. The barrow comprises a mound measuring 14.5m by 12m by 0.5m high and was partially excavated by Thomas Bateman in 1846. Bateman did not find any remains but the location and appearance of the barrow indicate a Bronze Age date. In addition, it is one of a number of similar barrows to be found in the Wormhill area. 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: Bateman, T. - Title: Vestiges of the Antiquities of Derbyshire - Date: 1848 - Page References: 95-6 - Type: DESC TEXT Book Reference - Author: Lewis, G D - Title: The Bronze Age in the Southern Pennines - Date: 1970 - Type: DESC TEXT - Description: Thesis Book Reference - Author: Marsden B - Title: The Burial Mounds of Derbyshire (1977) - Date: 1977 - Page References: 100 - Type: DESC TEXT