Europe, British Isles, North-Central England, Derbyshire Dales, Chelmorton Low Round Barrows
Chelmorton Low Round Barrows is in Chelmorton [Map].
James Pilkington 1789. About a quarter of a mile north east from Chelmorton a barrow or low [Chelmorton Low Round Barrows or Five Wells Chambered Tomb [Map]] was examined in the year 1782, and several particulars have been communicated to me respecting its external appearance, and inward construction.
The barrow, which I shall now attempt to describe, is a small circular mount, whose circumference at the base measures about seventy-five yards. Its height is seven feet. At the top is a hollow resembling a bason. Upon measuring down one side to the bottom, and ascending the opposite it was found to be eight yards across. But its perpendicular depth was no more than three feet. — A knowledge of its inward construction was obtained by some labouring men, who were searching for stone to build a walled fence in a neighbouring field. After removing a thin covering of moss and soil from the lower extremity or skirts of the mount, they discovered a kind of breast-work or regular wall of single stones formed without mortar. Not apprehensive of meeting with any thing extraordinary beyond this wall they proceeded in their work, but were soon surprized by the sight of several human bodies. They found, that the wall was the end of a cell or coffin, in which the bodies had been deposited. The breadth of the cell within was two feet, but its depth was not fully ascertained. It was supposed to be about a yard. The sides consisted of stones eight inches thick, and about two feet wide. They were placed upon their edge, and formed a kind of wall or partition. The stones used for the covering were from one to three inches thick, but not large.
Though some of the stones, and a small quantity of the soil had fallen into the vault, yet several human bodies or skeletons might be clearly distinguished, lying at full length with their heads towards the center of the mount. The bones had never been disturbed, and were apparently united together at the different joints, but by the slightest motion were found to be entirely loose and unconnected. — Upon examination they were discovered to be remarkably strong and sound. The ribs in particular were so little decayed, that they would easily bend without breaking. Those who saw the bones, thought that they were uncommonly large. It was imagined that the persons, to whom they belonged, must have been, when alive, at least seven feet high. The teeth were found, and perfect. From the number of bones and skulls, and the dimensions of the vault it was supposed, that it contained about four or five human bodies.
Though only one vault was opened and examined, it was presumed, that others were carried throughout the whole circumference of the mount: And from the width of that, which I have described, it was calculated, that there are about twenty in number.
Arthur Jewitt 1811. One of the most conspicuous of these remains is that known by the name of Chelmerton Lowe, which lies about two miles from the bar on the London road, in a direction inclining to the left. It is easily known by its steep abrupt brow, and two little mounts [Chelmorton Low Round Barrows] which crown its summit. These mounts are both lowes, and in 1782 one of them was broken into, and examined. Of this Mr. Pilkington gives the following account: The which I shall now attempt to describe is a small circular mount, whose circumference at the base measures about seventy-five yards. Its height is seven feet. At the top is a hollow resembling a basin. Upon measuring down one side to the bottom, and ascending the opposite, it found to be eight yards across. But its perpendicular depth was no more than three feet. A knowledge of its inward construction was obtained by some labouring men, who were searching for stone, to build a walled fence in a neighbouring field. After removing a thin covering of moss and soil from the extremity, or skirts of the they discovered a of breast-work, or regular wall of single stones formed without mortar. Not apprehensive of meeting with any thing extraordinary beyond this wall they proceeded in their but were goon surprised by the sight of several human bodies. They found that the wall was the end of a cell, or coffin in which the bodies had been deposited. The breadth of the cell within was two feet, but its depth was not fully ascertained. It was supposed to bc about a yard. The sides consisted of stones eight inches thick, and about two feet wide. They were placed upon their edge, and formed a kind of wall or partition. The stones used for the covering, were from one to two inches thick, but not large."
"Though some of the stones, and a small quantity of soil had fallen into the vault, yet several human bodies or skeletons might be clearly distinguished, lying at full length, with their heads towards the centre of the mount. The bones had never been disturbed, and were apparently united together at the different joints, and by the slightest motion were found to be entirely loose and unconnected. Upon examination they were discovered to be remarkably strong and sound. The ribs in particular, were so little decayed, that they could easily bend without breaking. Those who saw the bones thought they wcre uncommonly large. It was imagined that the persons to whom they belonged, must have been, alive, at least seven feet high. The teeth were sound and perfect. From the number of bones and skulls, and the dimensions of the vault, it was supposed that it contained about four or five human bodies."
Though only one vault was opened and examined, it was presumed, that others were carried throughout the whole circumference of the mount: and, from the width of that which I have described, it was calculated that there were about twenty in number."
By this account, which, for its accuracy may be depended on, it should seem that these two lowes or barrows contained about twenty cells cach, and allowing each cell as in the foregoing statement to enclose five bodies, they must together have covered about two hundred corpses ; a number which must in all probability have arisen from some battle fought near the spot.
Stephen Glover 1831. A barrow [Chelmorton Low Round Barrows] about the size of the former of those now mentioned described by Pilkington as being situate about a quarter of a mile north east from Chelmorton was opened in the year 1782 by some labouring men who were searching for stone to build a walled fence in a neighbouring field. After removing a thin covering of moss and soil from the lower extremity of the mount or barrow they discovered a kind of breast work or regular wall of single stones formed without mortar. Not apprehensive of meeting with any thing extraordinary beyond this wall they proceeded with their work but were soon surprised with the sight of several human bodies They found that the wall was at the end of a cell or coffin in which the bodies had been deposited. The breadth of the cell within was two feet but its depth was not fully ascertained though supposed to be about a yard. The sides consisted of stones about eight inches thick and two feet wide they were placed on their edge and formed a kind of partition the stones used for the covering were from one to three inches thick but not larger.
Though some of the stones and a small quantity of the soil had fallen into the vault yet several human bodies or skeletons might be clearly distinguished lying at full length with their heads towards the centre of the mount. The bones had never been disturbed and were apparently united at the different joints but by the slightest motion were found to be entirely loose and unconnected upon examination they were discovered to be remarkably strong and sound the ribs in particular were so little decayed that they would easily bend without breaking Those who saw the bones thought that they were uncommonly large and it was imagined that the persons to whom they belonged must have been when alive at least seven feet high the teeth were sound and perfect From the number of bones and skulls and the dimensions of the vault it was supposed that it contained about four or five human bodies and though only one vault was opened it was presumed that others were carried throughout the whole circumference of the mount and might be about twenty in number.1
Stephen Glover 1831. At the summit of the eminence which rises above the little village of CHELMORTON there are two considerable barrows [Chelmorton Low Round Barrows] within a short distance of each other The circumference of the largest is nearly eighty yards that of the smallest about seventy on the top of both is a circular cavity or bason.
Europe, British Isles, North-Central England, Derbyshire Dales, Chelmorton Low Round Barrows, Chelmorton Low Round Barrow 1 [Map]
Chelmorton Low Round Barrow 1 is also in Peak District Bronze Age Barrows.
Section I Tumuli 1782. At the summit of the eminence which rises above the little village of Chelmorton there are two considerable barrows, within a short distance of each other; the circumference of the larger one [Map] is nearly eighty yards, that of the smallest [Map] about twenty; on the top of each is a circular cavity or basin. A barrow, about the size of the former of these now mentioned, described by Pilkington as being situate about a quarter of a mile north-east from Chelmorton, was opened in the year 1782, by some labouring men who were searching for stone to build a walled fence in a neighbouring field. After removing a thin covering of moss and soil from the lower extremity of the mount or barrow, they discovered a kind of breastwork, or regular wall of single stones, formed without mortar; not apprehensive of meeting with anything extraordinary beyond this wall, they proceeded with their work, but were soon surprised with the sight of several human bodies; they found that the wall was at the end of a cell or coffin, in which the bodies had been deposited. The breadth of the cell within was two feet; but its depth was not fully ascertained, though supposed to be about a yard; the sides consisted of stones about eight inches thick and two feet wide; they were placed on their edge and formed a kind of partition: the stones used for the covering were from one to three inches thick, but not larger than the other. "Though some of the stones and a small quantity of soil had fallen into the vault, yet several human bodies or skeletons might be clearly distinguished, lying at full length, with, their heads towards the centre of the mount. The bones had never been disturbed, and were apparently united at the different joints, but by the slightest motion were found to be entirely loose and unconnected; upon examination they were discovered to be remarkably strong and sound: the ribs, in particular, were so little decayed that they would easily bend without breaking. Those who saw the bones thought that they were uncommonly large, and it was imagined that the persons to whom they belonged must have been, when alive, at least seven feet high; the teeth were sound and perfect. From the number of bones and skulls, and the dimensions of the vault, it was supposed that it contained about four or five human bodies, and though only one vault was opened, it was presumed that others were carried throughout the whole circumference of the mount, and might be about twenty in number."
Thomas Bateman 1846. Upon the hill called Lowe, above the village of Chelmorton, there are two considerable cairns or barrows of stone [Note. Chelmorton Low Round Barrow 1 [Map] and Chelmorton Low Round Barrow 2 [Map]], standing within fifty yards of each other, neither of which is altogether covered with turf, notwithstanding the immense time which must have elapsed since they were piled in their present situations; consequently they convey a very clear idea of the appearance of this kind of tumulus in its pristine grandeur, and therefore cannot be looked upon without at once carrying the mind back through a score of centuries, until one would hardly feel surprise at seeing a Druid or a British hunter stop in his solitary path across the hill to pay his tribute of respect to the hill of graves. Owing to the large size and loose construction of the most considerable one it was found unadvisable to devote any time to its elucidation as a single day would be far from sufficient to penetrate to its centre. The other being more accessible, was singled out as the object of research on the 9th of September, 1846, and though removed to the rock, for a considerable extent, it did not present more tokens of intermentlian one or two fragments of calcined bone, a neat lance-head of flint, and numerous rats' bones, all which were found about the centre. There is strong reason to presume that this barrow had previously undergone examination, although there is no record of such a circumstance having taken place.
Frederick Lukis 1865. In the Vestiges of the Antiquities of Derbyshire, published in 1848, by the late Thomas Bateman, Esq., at page 21, there is a short notice that near the little village of Chelmorton two considerable Barrows [Chelmorton Low Round Barrow 1 [Map] and Chelmorton Low Round Barrow 2 [Map]], within a short distance of each other, are to be seen, and Mr. Bateman further informs us that a Barrow was opened, according to Pilkington, by some labouring men who were searching for stones to build a walled fence in the neighbouring field; but from want of a further description and the necessary ground plan, I do not know if the following accidental visit to Chelmorton, and the examination of that neighbourhood by my son, Captain F. Dubois Lukis, in 1865, may not prove to be the identical locality mentioned in the Vestiges. Mr. Bateman likewise in the same publication gives a very short account of that place, as well as of some remains at the Five Wells, which seem to correspond with the facts mentioned by Pilkington, as also with the notes of Capt. Lukis.
Europe, British Isles, North-Central England, Derbyshire Dales, Chelmorton Low Round Barrows, Chelmorton Low Round Barrow 2 [Map]
Chelmorton Low Round Barrow 2 is also in Peak District Bronze Age Barrows.
Section I Tumuli 1782. At the summit of the eminence which rises above the little village of Chelmorton there are two considerable barrows, within a short distance of each other; the circumference of the larger one [Map] is nearly eighty yards, that of the smallest [Map] about twenty; on the top of each is a circular cavity or basin. A barrow, about the size of the former of these now mentioned, described by Pilkington as being situate about a quarter of a mile north-east from Chelmorton, was opened in the year 1782, by some labouring men who were searching for stone to build a walled fence in a neighbouring field. After removing a thin covering of moss and soil from the lower extremity of the mount or barrow, they discovered a kind of breastwork, or regular wall of single stones, formed without mortar; not apprehensive of meeting with anything extraordinary beyond this wall, they proceeded with their work, but were soon surprised with the sight of several human bodies; they found that the wall was at the end of a cell or coffin, in which the bodies had been deposited. The breadth of the cell within was two feet; but its depth was not fully ascertained, though supposed to be about a yard; the sides consisted of stones about eight inches thick and two feet wide; they were placed on their edge and formed a kind of partition: the stones used for the covering were from one to three inches thick, but not larger than the other. "Though some of the stones and a small quantity of soil had fallen into the vault, yet several human bodies or skeletons might be clearly distinguished, lying at full length, with, their heads towards the centre of the mount. The bones had never been disturbed, and were apparently united at the different joints, but by the slightest motion were found to be entirely loose and unconnected; upon examination they were discovered to be remarkably strong and sound: the ribs, in particular, were so little decayed that they would easily bend without breaking. Those who saw the bones thought that they were uncommonly large, and it was imagined that the persons to whom they belonged must have been, when alive, at least seven feet high; the teeth were sound and perfect. From the number of bones and skulls, and the dimensions of the vault, it was supposed that it contained about four or five human bodies, and though only one vault was opened, it was presumed that others were carried throughout the whole circumference of the mount, and might be about twenty in number."
Thomas Bateman 1846. Upon the hill called Lowe, above the village of Chelmorton, there are two considerable cairns or barrows of stone [Note. Chelmorton Low Round Barrow 1 [Map] and Chelmorton Low Round Barrow 2 [Map]], standing within fifty yards of each other, neither of which is altogether covered with turf, notwithstanding the immense time which must have elapsed since they were piled in their present situations; consequently they convey a very clear idea of the appearance of this kind of tumulus in its pristine grandeur, and therefore cannot be looked upon without at once carrying the mind back through a score of centuries, until one would hardly feel surprise at seeing a Druid or a British hunter stop in his solitary path across the hill to pay his tribute of respect to the hill of graves. Owing to the large size and loose construction of the most considerable one it was found unadvisable to devote any time to its elucidation as a single day would be far from sufficient to penetrate to its centre. The other being more accessible, was singled out as the object of research on the 9th of September, 1846, and though removed to the rock, for a considerable extent, it did not present more tokens of intermentlian one or two fragments of calcined bone, a neat lance-head of flint, and numerous rats' bones, all which were found about the centre. There is strong reason to presume that this barrow had previously undergone examination, although there is no record of such a circumstance having taken place.
Frederick Lukis 1865. In the Vestiges of the Antiquities of Derbyshire, published in 1848, by the late Thomas Bateman, Esq., at page 21, there is a short notice that near the little village of Chelmorton two considerable Barrows [Chelmorton Low Round Barrow 1 [Map] and Chelmorton Low Round Barrow 2 [Map]], within a short distance of each other, are to be seen, and Mr. Bateman further informs us that a Barrow was opened, according to Pilkington, by some labouring men who were searching for stones to build a walled fence in the neighbouring field; but from want of a further description and the necessary ground plan, I do not know if the following accidental visit to Chelmorton, and the examination of that neighbourhood by my son, Captain F. Dubois Lukis, in 1865, may not prove to be the identical locality mentioned in the Vestiges. Mr. Bateman likewise in the same publication gives a very short account of that place, as well as of some remains at the Five Wells, which seem to correspond with the facts mentioned by Pilkington, as also with the notes of Capt. Lukis.