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Monument record MDR1547 - Bowl barrow, Friden Hollow, Middleton and Smerrill

Type and Period (2)

Protected Status/Designation

Full Description

SK 1743 6132. An earthen barrow located "within a few yards of the Roman road, where it passes through the Oldhams Farm at Middleton". (1,2,3,5,11). It was excavated by William Bateman and Samuel Mitchell on 19th May 1825, when they found only fragments of charcoal and burnt bones. (2,3,6,11). Bateman re-excavation on 30th July 1844 was located at the centre of the barrow. On the old ground surface he discovered traces of burning , some sandstones and quartz pebbles, "several pieces of kneaded clay partially hardened by fire" and a broken piece of coarse pottery of very hard texture (?not Prehistoric). (1,5,11). Tumulus. (7). Pottery found. (8). Published survey 25" correct. (9). The barrow is located on a gentle slope at the basin base with good visibility over the local area. It was originally 16 metres long, c.14 metres in breadth and ½ metre high. The mound has been ploughed down and is now 0.3 metres high upslope and 0.7 metres downslope. It is featureless. The original diameter is hard to estimate but must have been c.12 metres or less. (11). The barrow became a scheduled monument on the 25th February 1994. Friden Hollow bowl barrow is a sub-circular barrow located in the central uplands of the limestone plateau of Derbyshire. The monument includes a mound measuring 16 metres by 14 metres and standing c.½ metre high. Previously, the barrow would have been somewhat higher but its profile has been changed by ploughing occurring during World War II. Partial excavations of the mound were carried out in 1825, by William Bateman, and in 1844, by Thomas Bateman, when traces of burnt bone and charcoal were found indicating an in-situ cremation. The appearance of the barrow, and its proximity to others datable to the Bronze Age, suggest that it too dates to this period. However, pot sherds of a very hard texture found during excavation may date to the Roman or Anglian periods, and suggest either that the barrow was re-used at this time or that it is not of prehistoric origin. In this respect, and others, it is similar to nearby Ringham Low bowl barrow. (12). Site monitoring has been carried out. See record for details. (13)

Sources/Archives (13)

  • <1> Unpublished document: Bateman, T. 1844. 'A Narrative of the Opening of Some of the Derbyshire Barrows in the Summer of 1844', Collectania Antiqua.
  • <2> Bibliographic reference: Bateman, T. 1848. Vestiges of the Antiquities of Derbyshire. p54.
  • <3> Bibliographic reference: Bateman, T. 1848. Vestiges of the Antiquities of Derbyshire. p33.
  • <4> Bibliographic reference: Bateman, T. 1855. Descriptive Catalogue of the Antiquities at Lomberdale House. p24.
  • <5> Bibliographic reference: Bateman, W. 1821-1832. A Description of Tumuli etc. Opened Principally at Middleton by Youlgreave. Section 15.
  • <6> Article in serial: Ward, J. 1908. 'Notes on some Derbyshire antiquities from Samuel Mitchell's memoranda', Derbyshire Archaeological Journal. Volume 30, pp 155-172. pp 155-172.
  • <7> Map: Ordnance Survey (OS). 1955. 6".
  • <8> Map: Ordnance Survey (OS). 25".
  • <9> Personal Observation: F1 JB 17-FEB-66.
  • <10> Index: NDAT. 1509. 1509.
  • <11> Unpublished document: Barnatt, J. 1989. The Peak District Barrow Survey (updated 1994). Site 8:21.
  • <12> Scheduling record: English Heritage. 1994. Scheduling Notification: Friden Hollow Bowl Barrow. 23240. Cat. No.: 333.
  • <13> Unpublished document: Marriott, J (PDNPA). 2011. Scheduled Monument Monitoring Form: Friden Hollow Bowl Barrow.

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Grid reference Centred SK 1743 6132 (15m by 16m) (Centre)
Civil Parish MIDDLETON AND SMERRILL, DERBYSHIRE DALES, DERBYSHIRE

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (5)

  • EDR34
  • EDR3182
  • EDR1167
  • EDR1576
  • EDR75

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Record last edited

Nov 7 2014 4:40PM

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