Archaeologia Volume 12 Section XXV. Discoveries in a Barrow [Fin Cop Barrow [Map]] in Derbyshire. In a Letter from Hayman Rooke (age 72), Esq. to Mr, Gough, Read February 11, 1796.

Fin Cop, Derbyshire [Map] is an Iron Age Hill fort. In 2011 excavations unearthed a mass burial containing only women and children. Carbon dating of the site suggests it was constructed between 440BC and 390BC.

Fin Cop, Derbyshire [Map]. Historic England 1011205

Fin Cop is a steep-sided promontory situated on the western edge of Longstone Moor on the limestone plateau of Derbyshire. The monument occupies the north-west corner of the promontory, overlooking Monsal Dale to the north and Wye Dale to the west. It includes a Late Bronze Age or Early Iron Age promontory fort and, within the area covered by the fort, an Early Bronze Age bowl barrow and an eighteenth century limekiln with an attached limestone quarry. The promontory fort comprises a level sub-rectangular area defined on the north and west sides by the steep scarps above the two dales and on the east and south sides by earthwork defences. Starting on the edge of Monsal Dale to the north, these defences extend southwards for 225m then curve south-west for a further 160m before ending on the edge of Wye Dale. From this point, a linear feature extends northwards back to the edge of Monsal Dale and is interpreted as the site of the timber palisade that would have enclosed the fort on this side. It consists of a low bank with a narrow berm or terrace to the west and then a slight counterscarp bank. It appears, wholly or partly, to have utilised a natural break in the limestone outcrop. The earthwork defences round the landward edge of the fort consist, for the northernmost 180m, of a bank, ditch and counterscarp bank, then, for the rest of the circuit, of a bank or rampart only. The more massive inner bank is currently c.5m wide by 1.5m-2m high, the ditch is c.3m wide by 1m-1.5m deep and the counterscarp bank is c.2m wide by 1m high. Although no longer visible, it is likely that the ditch extended round the southern section of the rampart and has become silted up and levelled by ploughing since the fort was abandoned. Together with the remains of the counterscarp bank, it will survive as a buried feature and is included within the scheduling. A gap in the double bank and ditch on the east side indicates the original entrance into the fort. Near the western edge of the fort, just north of the eighteenth century quarry, are the ploughed over remains of an earlier Bronze Age bowl barrow. The barrow was quarried for its stone in the late eighteenth century, possibly to feed the adjacent lime kiln. Subsequently, in 1795, it was partially excavated by Rooke. His discoveries included a rock-cut grave built up with stone and covered by a capstone. Inside was a disarticulated skeleton accompanied by two flint arrowheads. Elsewhere in the mound, he found a dry-walled cist, or grave, containing the remains of a cremation, while, on the south-east side three pottery 'urns' were discovered, one of which has since been identified as a ceremonial food vessel. These contained further cremations and one of the 'urns' also contained an arrowhead. Two further inhumations were found on the east side of the mound. In its present disturbed condition, the barrow has a diameter of 24m by 23m and a height of c.0.5m though, originally it would have been between 1m and 2m high. Roughly 20m to the south is an eighteenth century lime kiln set in its own small quarry. The kiln is of the type known as a 'double pye-kiln'. The modern field walls crossing the monument are excluded from the scheduling though the ground beneath is included.

Archaeologia Volume 12 Section XXV. At about seventy-two yards South-east of the barrow is a work [Fin Cop, Derbyshire [Map]] thrown up, with a ditch on the inside of the vallum, which surrounds the top of the hill except on the North-west fide, where there is a precipice fourteen yards from the barrow; at the distance of one hundred and fixty yards beyond this work is another ditch and vallum, where the ditch is on the outside.

Section I Tumuli 1832. In January 1832 a barrow was opened in a field called the "Long Roods," [Note. There are two Long Rood's Barrows: Long Roods Barrow 1 [Map] and Long Roods Barrow 2 [Map]. It isn't clear which is being referred to. The description 'about three hundred yards in front of the left flank of the military works on Fin Cop suggests the latter.] situated about three hundred yards in front of the left flank of the military works on Fin Cop, one mile north-west of Ashford-in-the-Water, on the road to Tideswell, in which two highly ornamental urns were found one broken to pieces, the other whole, and containing a deposit of calcined bones.

Amongst the debris of the barrow a third brass coin of Constantine, of the extremely common 'Gloria exercitus' type, was found.

Section I Tumuli 1832. In January 1832 a barrow was opened in a field called the "Long Roods," [Note. There are two Long Rood's Barrows: Long Roods Barrow 1 [Map] and Long Roods Barrow 2 [Map]. It isn't clear which is being referred to. The description 'about three hundred yards in front of the left flank of the military works on Fin Cop suggests the latter.] situated about three hundred yards in front of the left flank of the military works on Fin Cop, one mile north-west of Ashford-in-the-Water, on the road to Tideswell, in which two highly ornamental urns were found one broken to pieces, the other whole, and containing a deposit of calcined bones.

Amongst the debris of the barrow a third brass coin of Constantine, of the extremely common 'Gloria exercitus' type, was found.

Section I Tumuli 1830. About the year 1830 a barrow upon the East Moor, near Baslow, called Stone Lowe [Map], was accidentally opened by the farmer in whose stackyard it stood. In the centre he found two large urns, both neatly ornamented, and both containing calcined bones and flints. Inside one of them was a small incense cup, with two perforations through one side. This being fortunately preserved, we are enabled to give a cut of it.

Section I Brushfield Barrow 1825. About the year 1825 a tumulus, at Brushfield [Map], Derbyshire, was accidently opened by the farmer in whose land it was. It contained an iron sword, measuring thirty-two inches in length and two inches in breadth, the iron umbo of a shield, an iron knife and buckle. These articles passed into the hands of the late Mr. Birds, of Eyam; and thence, with the exception of the centre of the shield, into the author's museum.

Thomas Bateman 1824. In May 1824 a barrow [Note. There is no known barrow 'half a mile east'. Possibly Cales Dale Barrow [Map] which is 0.6miles NE of Arbor Low. ] situated about half a mile east of the temple of Arbor Lowe [Map] was opened; part of a human skeleton and a broken urn rudely ornamented about six inches in diameter with some calcined bones (doubtless human) near it were found amongst a multitude of rats bones also a dog's jaw-bone. This sepulchre had been disturbed some time previously by labourers getting stone, who, no doubt, had broken the urn to pieces, and who desisted in superstitious alarm on finding a complete human skeleton.

Derbyshire Archaeological Journal Volume 30 1908 Page 155. [Fol. 42.] May 31^st 1824. Opening of One Ash [Map] barrow.¹

"I re-opened a low [Cales Dale Barrow [Map]] on Mr. Beaumont's farm at One Ash, in the County of Derby, in which we found some further remains of an urn, and the bones and teeth of a skeleton lying with its head towards the S.E. On a previous examination of this barrow in 1818 we found some remains of the urn, and calcined bones, together with a great quantity of the bones of rats, and a few human bones. Having been disturbed by labourers procuring stone, the urn was, no doubt, broken to pieces by them. The barrow was about 6 yds. in diameter, and elevated not more than 3 ft. irom the surface. From the appearance of the urn, which is ornamented in a style rather superior to what are usually found, M^r. Lemon supposes it (the barrow) to have been the burial place of a Briton of distinction."

Note 1. This barrow was opened by Mr.Thomas Bateman on July 31st, 1844, when he found the remains of several interments. At the time, he was not aware that it had been previousiy opened by Mr. Mitchell, but refers to this in his text. Vestiges, p. 54.

Section I Tumuli 1844. On the 31st of July, 1844, a small barrow [Map] on the One-ash Farm was opened; it was very low, being in no place more than a foot above the surrounding ground; owing to this circumstance the bones had been much disturbed and broken by the passing of the ploughshare over the mound. Near the centre of the barrow were the remains of a human skeleton, which had been accompanied by an ornamented drinking-cup, now broken to fragments; about the same place were perceived a great number of rats' bones, a few horse's teeth, a part of a boar's tusk, and a piece of rubbed sandstone, which had been burnt until it had become quite red, together with a few bits of flint. In other parts of the tumulus human bones were discovered, which would indicate this barrow to have been the resting-place of about six ancient Britons.

Since the above account was written it has been ascertained that this tumulus was opened in 1818, by Mr. Samuel Mitchell (age 41), who discovered part of a neatly-ornamented urn, about six inches in diameter, which had contained calcined bones; also some animal bones and an entire human skull.

On 02 Jul 1593 John Gell 1st Baronet was baptised at St Margaret's Church, Carsington [Map].

Chelmorton. 23rd of June we opened a small low barrow [Probably Chelmorton Barrow 3 [Map]] in the neighbourhood of the last, which covered a rock grave three feet deep, the irregular shape of which was corrected by an interior lining of stone slabs. It was chiefly filled with stones, but had a layer of tempered earth above and below them: the latter had the nature of exceedingly tenacious clay, and in it was imbedded the skeleton of a tall man of middle age, who lay extended on his back with the head raised and pointing to the west; the hands, with the fingers extended, were placed on the thighs; an iron knife much corroded lay in an oblique direction across the left side of the pelvis, and was itself crossed by the bones of the wrist. The right femur had been fractured about 6 inches below the neck, but had firmly reunited, apparently with the effect of shortening the limb, Parallel with the right side of the body, for its whole length, was a ridge of dark-coloured earth so remarkably dense that we could not detect the substances of which it was composed in any part excepting between the right humerus and the ribs, where it contained remains of wood and of animal's skin, the earth separating with ease where the latter had been folded, and exhibiting a hairy surface almost as perfect as would be shown by a recent hide under the same circumstances of damp and pressure, colour alone excepted. Although there was a hard mass of tempered earth above the grave, a few water rats had left their bones near those of this Saxon.

Chelmorton. On the 9th of September, we opened a small grave mound [Chelmorton Thorn Barrow [Map]] near Chelmorton Thorn, Derbyshire, measuring about 9 yards across and 2 feet high. By cutting a trench through the middle we found it to consist of pudiled and tempered earth mixed with a few limestones, the latter more plentiful about the centre; beneath these, and very slightly lower than the natural surface, on a very uneven floor of rock, lay a tall but slender skeleton, evidently of a young man of the Anglo-Saxon race, who had been carefully deposited at full length on his back, with the head due west; the arms lay along the sides, but the hands had been placed upon the lower part of the person, the phalanges of the fingers being found in the hollow of the pelvis, which had become flattened by pressure from the earth above. Close to the left side of the pelvis we found two short knives and a buckle of iron, all very much corroded by the destructive action of the puddled earth, which had also decayed the skeleton so much, that it was impossible to obtain accurate measurements of any of the long bones.

It is rather remarkable, that the place has the reputation of being haunted: on the occasion of our visit a person was pointed out who had actually been favoured with a sight of the apparition, which was manifested in the form of a man of unearthly stature, who walked before the seer for some distance, about the hour of four on a summer's morning.

Chelmorton. In the afternoon of the same day, we went to a mutilated barrow [Deep Dale Barrow [Map]], situated in a romantic spot close to the verge of some limestone rocks, overhanging a waterless valley near Chelmorton, called Deepdale, about a mile north-west of the village; but found that the whole remains had been turned over, most likely to extract the stone for building purposes. Of objects indicating its original intention, we observed traces in the presence of comminuted bone, rats' bones, and shreds of flint.

Chelmorton. On the 20th of June we examined two barrows on a tract of high land, called Great Low [Map], between Hurdlow and Chelmorton:

he first had been removed almost to the surface of the land so that nothing was found but a small piece of Romano-British pottery. The other, called Nether Low [Map], originally a large barrow, but mutilated by stone getters, still covers an area 25 yards across, and is 4 feet high: it is composed exclusively of stone. Although we failed on this occasion to discover the primary interment we found remains of two individuals, one of whom had undergone cremation; and myriads of rats' bones, which were most abundant near some very large stones on the natural surface, about the centre of the mound.

Chelmorton. On the 20th of June we examined two barrows on a tract of high land, called Great Low [Map], between Hurdlow and Chelmorton:

he first had been removed almost to the surface of the land so that nothing was found but a small piece of Romano-British pottery. The other, called Nether Low [Map], originally a large barrow, but mutilated by stone getters, still covers an area 25 yards across, and is 4 feet high: it is composed exclusively of stone. Although we failed on this occasion to discover the primary interment we found remains of two individuals, one of whom had undergone cremation; and myriads of rats' bones, which were most abundant near some very large stones on the natural surface, about the centre of the mound.

Chelmorton. On the 5th of July we resumed the examination of the barrow at Nether Low [Map], and found at the west side about five yards from the centre, four interments, three of which were placed in angle of a shallow depression in the rock, of irregular form. The most important of these was the skeleton of a middle aged man, lying contracted in the western angle, having beneath the head, and in contact with the skull, a beautiful leaf-shaped dagger of white flint, 4½ inches long, with the narrower half curiously serrated. A few inches from this unique weapon, was a plain but neat spear head of white flint. In a joint of the rock at a right angle with this interment, was a slender skeleton, probably of a female in the prime of life, accompanied by a prism-shaped piece of white flint, a piece of hematite, a boar's tusk, and a large globular bead of jet; the last found close to the neck.

The third skeleton was that of a much younger subject, and lay on the rock a little nearer the centre; it was not provided with implements, but between it and the others was a single piece of a calcined human skull. They were all about 4 feet from the top of the barrow.

Another skeleton was discovered about two feet from the surface, in a cist covered by a large flat stone and constructed across the joint of rock occupied by the female skeleton; it was accompanied by stags' horns of large size, and an arrow point of grey flint; and appeared to be the body of a person 17 or 18 years old.

In another cutting, near the outside, we found the remains of an infant, and a very neat instrument of white flint of uncertain use.

Thomas Bateman 1824. On the 31st of May, 1824, a large tumulus [Map], sixty feet in diameter, and four feet in height, situated in Haddon field, near the river Lathkiln, almost opposite to Conksbury [Map] was opened; it had been before disturbed by labourers in search of stone, who discovered near the centre a loosely walled vault or cist, containing two human skeletons, and a rude urn of baked clay; they also met with a considerable number of Roman coins in small brass, which were deposited in Haddon Hall. This second opening was made by cutting a trench from the north-west extremity towards the centre, during the progress of which the whole barrow was observed to consist of loose stones thrown together.

About three yards from the centre of the mound were found scattered about a quantity of third brass Roman coins to the number of eighty-two (quere 71 ), and with them some small pieces of lead ore, which would furnish an additional proof, were any wanting, of the remote era in which the Derbyshire lead mines were worked; near the coins was part of a glass vessel, when perfect, about three inches in diameter. In the vault (apparently the only one in the barrow), and doubtless containing the original interments, were discovered human bones, some of which had undergone cremation, fragments of four urns, and traces of decayed wood. The bodies were laid with their heads towards the north-east, and had the usual accompaniment of rats' bones; also the teeth of a canine animal.

The coins, which would pertain to a later interment of the Romano-British period, were of the following reigns: Constantine nine, Constans seventeen, Constantius II nine, family of Constantine three; namely, Urbs Roma one, and Constantinopolis two, Valentinian five, Valens twelve, Gratian three, and the remainder illegible.

Brushfield. On the same afternoon, we examined a mutilated barrow [Brushfield Barrow, location unknown] nearer Brushfield, called the "Gospel Hillock [Map]," perhaps from the first Christian Missionary having taken his stand thereon while exhorting the Saxons to forsake the worship of Woden and Thor; and we were much disappointed by finding nothing more than a few calcined bones and a fragment of pottery.

Brushfield. On the 3rd of August, we opened a finely shaped barrow [High Field Hlaew [Map]] near Brushfield, upon Lapwing HiU, overlooking Cressbrook valley, measuring seventeen yards across and four feet high in the centre, composed of earth, with a few stones in the middle, where a shallow grave, about a foot deep, was sunk in the rock. In it lay extended the remains of a human body, so very much decayed as to be almost undistinguishable, but which we ascertained to have been deposited with the head to the west. Beneath the remnants of bone were many traces of light-coloured hair, as if from a hide, resting upon a considerable quantity of decayed wood, indicating a plank of some thickness, or the bottom of a coffin. At the left of the body was a long and broad iron sword, enclosed in a sheath made of thin wood covered with ornamented leather.

Under the hilt of the sword, which like most of ancient date is very small, was a short iron knife; and a little way above the right shoulder were two small javelin heads, 4½ inches long, of the same metal, which had lain so near each other as to become united by corrosion. Among the stones which filled the grave, and about a foot from the bottom, were many objects of corroded iron, including nine loops of hoop iron about an inch broad, which had been fixed to thick wood by long nails; eight staples or eyes, which had been driven through plank and clenched; and one or two other objects of more uncertain application, all which were dispersed at intervals round the corpse throughout the length of the grave, and which may therefore have been attached to a bier or coffin in which the deceased was conveyed to the grave, possibly from some distant place. The only specimen of a Saxon sword, which was the weapon of the thegn, previously found in this part of Derbyshire, was singularly enough found with the umbo of a shield on the same farm in 1828; thus indicating the connection of a noble Saxon family with Brushfield in the age of Heathendom, the name of which is perpetuated in a document of the 16th century, preserved in the British Museum¹.

Note 1. Mortgage of Lands in Little Longsdon, Monsall Dale, and Brighterighefield (Brightric's Field,) otherwise Brushefielde, between Thomas Shakerley of Derby and Rowland Eyre of Hassoppe; dated May. 37th Elizabeth. B. Mus: Additional MSS. 6702. fol 45.

Frederick Lukis 1865. Notice Of The Opening Of A Barrow [Map] On Grey Cap Hill, Cressbrook, October 15, 1867 By B. J. F. Lucas, Esq.

Section I Tumuli 1844. June the 10th, 1844, was opened a barrow [Map] upon Elton Moor, for which there is no distinctive name; it was on this occasion divided into four quarters by our sections, which left very little of the mound unexplored. In the usual central situation was found a previously-disturbed interment, accompanied by a large arrow- or spear-head of flint, a piece of a small urn neatly ornamented, and some animal teeth. On the southern side of the tumulus another interment was discovered, about eighteen inches below the natural surface of the land upon which the barrow was constructed; this skeleton was certainly that of an aged person, the teeth being much worn down; near the head was a piece of spherical iron pyrites, now for the first time noticed as being occasionally found with other relics in the British tumuli. Subsequent discoveries have proved that it was prized by the Britons, and not unfrequently deposited in the grave along with the weapons and ornaments which formed the most valued part of their store; even to the present day, the same mineral is used as a personal decoration by some tribes of the South American Indians. In the rear of the skeleton was a neatly-ornamented drinking-cup, which had been crushed by the weight of the soil, with which it had in a great degree become incorporated; within this cup the following odd assemblage of articles were placed: three quartz pebbles, one of which is red, the other two of a light colour; a flat piece of polished iron ore, a small celt of flint, with the peculiarity of having a round polished edge, instead of a cutting one as is usual; a beautifully-chipped cutting tool, twenty-one circular instruments almost all neatly chipped, and seventeen pieces, or rude instruments, all of flint, which had been turned to a delicate white or gray by calcination. Scattered about in the immediate neighbourhood of this interment were a good many pieces of burnt bones, not sufficient in quantity to compose a complete deposit, and a few rats' bones as usual.

Section I Tumuli 1843. 4th of September, 1843, a small barrow, about two miles south of Middleton-by-Yolgrave [Map], named Borther Lowe [Map], was investigated, first by digging down the centre, and afterwards by cutting it through to the south side. In the first excavation pieces of urns, horses' teeth, and other bones were immediately found. Proceeding lower down, upon the level of the ground on which the barrow was raised, a rude kind of pavement of rough limestones was found, which was covered with a layer of rats' bones. Yet no human bones were discovered in this part of the mound, which was therefore abandoned, and the south side subjected to an examination, with better success. The ground on the south being removed to the depth of a foot, a skeleton, with the head lying towards the interior of the barrow, was uncovered. It was found to be in a very decayed state, from its being placed so near the surface, within the influence of the atmosphere. On the left side of the skeleton were the remains of a plain, coarse urn, much disintegrated, owing to the reason above stated, a flint arrow-head, much burnt, a pair of the canine teeth of either a fox or a dog of the same size, and a diminutive bronze celt. The contemporary use of weapons of flint and bronze is remarkable: in another place are a few observations bearing upon this point. In other parts of the tumulus were three hones of fine slatestone. In an adjoining field are the remains of another barrow, removed in order to supply materials for a stone fence at the least expense; but there are no records of any discovery of interments having been made at the time.

Middleton. On the 5th of February we re-opened the barrow at Borthor Low [Map], first examined In September, 1843, (Vestiges, p. 48.,) when no central interment was found, although it appears that the cutting on that occasion was carried to within six inches of a skeleton, which lay on its left side in a very contracted posture, and which appears to have been the interment over which the tumulus was originally raised. The only relic found in close proximity to the body, was a rudely formed arrow-head of burnt flint, but in the earth not far distant were two more pieces of flint and a chip from a stone celt. In the course of the excavation we noticed rats' bones in profusion, and near the surface some small pieces of earthenware.

In 1823 Bishop Robert Eden 3rd Baron Auckland (age 23) was appointed Rector of St Lawrence's Church, Eyam [Map].

Section I Tumuli 1793. In May, 1793, Major Booke opened a large barrow on a rising ground near Hopton, which is called Abbotts Lowe [Map], and is about 196 feet in circumference. At the depth of about five feet from the top of the barrow was a very large urn, about seventeen inches in diameter, which was placed in an excavation in the native soil, about eighteen inches deep. It contained a deposit of burned bones and ashes, and was broken to pieces in attempting to remove it.

Archaeologia Volume 12 Section I. About a mile South of the above-mentioned valley, on a rising ground near Hopton, is a very large barrow called Abbot’s Low [Map], the circumference of which is 196 feet. As the labourers were preparing this for a plantation, they discovered an urn, which Mr. Gell was fo obliging as to order should not be touched till I came to Hopton. In May last we proceeded to examine the urn, and after removing the stone, N° 2, which covered it, and clearing away the ground to the depth of five feet from the top, and about eighteen inches below the natural soil, I got a distinct view of the urn, which was four feet three inches in circumference, made of coarse baked earth, and full of burnt bones and ashes, in attempting to take it up, it fell to pieces. See the shape of the urn in drawing N° 3. The stone which covered this urn, fee N° 2, measures on the top two feet fix inches by one foot eight inches, and about nine inches thick, it appears to be a soft yellowish free stone, and much corroded; in rubbing off the dirt from the top, which had filled lip the interfaces of the letters, I discovered an inscription, a facsimile of which is on the stone N° 7. There evidently appears to have been more letters above, but they are now fo defaced by time, that nothing can be made out, though very possibly they might have been the letters of the praenomen; the inscription seems to be intended for Gellius Præfectus Cohortis Tertieæ Legionis Quintæ Britannicæ, but it does not appear, by any Roman author, that the fifth legion was ever in Britain, though Mr. Gordon mentions [a] a stone with the V. legion upon it, found in the fort at Grot hill in Scotland; he says, "I likewife found another very rare and curious stone with the following letters upon it, Leg. V. from the letters, two angular borderings appear on each side of the stone, so close and plain, that it leaves no room to doubt of its being read Legio Quinta; nor is there any space whatsoever for another letter to have been put in. I take this to be an invaluable rarity of its kind, being the only stone that ever I found in the island of Britain with the name of the fifth legion impressed upon it" LEGV.

Note a. Gordon* s Itinerarium Septentrionale, p. 56.

Thomas Bateman 1846. Upon the 1st of April, 1847, a large tumulus [Map] [Gotham Barrow [Map]] near Ghotam was opened, rising about five feet above the natural level of the land, through which a cist was sunk into the rock to a further depth of four feet, and was filled in with stones of great magnitude, thus rendering the excavation extremely difficult, not to say dangerous.

This cist not being in the centre, probably corresponds to another of the same kind on the opposite side of the barrow, of which there are indications; want of time would not on this occasion allow of its investigation. The level in the middle of the tumulus appeared to have been covered with a large fire and upon it were found several teeth of a cow, two rude instruments of flint, and a piece of stag's horn, which has been cut by a saw of flint, or some such primitive instrument. After much labour the bottom of the cist was reached, at a depth of upwards of nine feet from the surface of the barrow, where, by the help of a candle, part of a human skeleton was obtained from beneath an immense stone which could not be removed; fortunately, the excavation exposed the upper extremity of the skeleton, about which the appendages are almost always deposited in the Celtic tumuli in this part of England, so that there is very little probability of anything having been overlooked. The articles in this case were of very meagre quality; in fact, two pieces of stag's horn, the one being a tine rudely broken off the stem, and the other consisting of two branches upon a piece of the horn neatly cut out of the entire antler.

Newhaven. On the 27th of April we opened a mutilated mound of earth in a field near Newhaven House, called the Low [Map], two-thirds of which had been removed, and the remainder more or less disturbed. So that nothing was found in its original state; which is much to be regretted, as the contents appear to be late in date, and different in character from anything we have before found in tumuli. The mound itself, being constructed of tempered earth, bore some analogy to the grave hill of the Saxon Thegn opened at Benty Grange [Map] about a year before; and like it was without human remains, if we except a few fragments of calcined bone, which are too minute to be certainly assigned either to a human or animal subject. The articles found comprise many small pieces of thin iron straps or bands, more or less overlaid with bronze, which are by no means unlike the framework of the helmet found at Benty Grange. There is also a boss of thin bronze, 3 inches diameter, pierced with three holes for attachment to the dress (?) and divided by raised concentric circles, between which the metal is ornamented with a dotted chevron pattern, in the angles of which are small roses punched by a die. Another object in bronze is a small round vessel or box of thick cast metal, surrounded by six vertical ribs, and having two perforated ears, serving probably better to secure the lid and suspend the box. Although it measures less than an inch in height, and less than 2 in diameter, it weighs full 3½ ounces. A similar box, with the lid, on which is a cross formed of annulets, found with Roman remains at Lincoln, is engraved at page 30 of the Lincoln Boot of the Archaeological Institute, where it is called a pyx. Two others, discovered at Lewes, are engraved in the Archaeologia, Vol. XXXI., page 437, one of which has the lid bearing a cross precisely similar to the Lincoln example, whence it is certain that they must be assigned to a Christian period, probably not long previous to the extinction of the Saxon monarchy. The last object there is occasion to describe is an iron ferrule or hoop, 1½ inch diameter, one edge of which is turned inwards so as to prevent its slipping up the shaft on which it has been fixed. We also found some shapeless pieces of melted glass, which from their variegated appearance might be the product of fused beads; and observed many pieces of charred wood throughout the mound, which may possibly not have been of a sepulchral character.

A laughable circumstance occurred in connection with one article found here, which is really too good to be lost, t sent a sketch of the bronze box to a metropolitan archaeologist in order to ascertain its use. It was submitted to a well known collector, since deceased, who sent word that it was a Chinese weight I which he had recently seen knocked down at Stevens' saleroom!

Omaston Fields Bowl Barrow South [Map]. The monument is a bowl barrow located in the southern part of Osmaston Fields which is situated on the southern ridges of the Derbyshire Peak District. It includes a large sub-circular mound and also the surrounding construction ditch which is buried beneath accumulated soil. The mound measures 50m by 45m by c.4m high

Osmaston Fields Bowl Barrows [Map]. Two finely preserved Bronze Age Bowl Barrows located in a field around 50m from the road. The south- western barrow is a roughly circular mound measuring 27m by 26m and standing c.0.75m high. The north-eastern barrow is sub-circular and slightly smaller at 27m by 24m by c.0.6m high. Both barrows are of earth construction and have had their profiles gradually lowered by ploughing in the past.

Tinker's Inn North Bowl Barrow [Map]. Tinker's Inn bowl barrow, north is a roughly circular earthen barrow situated on the southern ridges of the Derbyshire Peak District. The monument includes a mound measuring 40m by 38m by c.1m high and part of the surrounding construction ditch which is buried beneath accumulated soil. On the north side, the barrow and its ditch have been partially destroyed by agricultural activity. The earth from this side has been dumped on the barrow, giving it a slightly flattened appearance which is probably not original. Access is somewhat difficult; there is a road to the Ark Ashbourne Animal Welfare Centre which doesn't appear to encourage visitors; perhaps a phone call in advance? Or perhaps phone the farm on which the barrow is located which is at the end of the lance that passes Tinker's Inn South Bowl Barrow [Map].

Tinker's Inn South Bowl Barrow [Map]. Tinker's Inn bowl barrow, south is a sub-circular earthen barrow situated on the southern ridges of the Derbyshire Peak District. The monument includes a mound measuring 42m by 33m by c.2m high and the surrounding construction ditch which is buried beneath accumulated soil. The barrow has been degraded by ploughing and would formerly have been somewhat larger and possibly more uniformly circular.

Thomas Bateman 1845. About half a mile from the village of Sheldon are two large barrows, placed about three hundred yards distance from each other, both of which were opened on the 6th of May, 1845. On cutting into the first tumulus [Map], which was the one nearest the village, it was found to have been previously examined, no undisturbed deposit or interment having been met with. The following articles were found promiscuously mingled with the earth and stones in the interior of the tumulus: fragments of two urns, a few burnt bones and charcoal, a skeleton pretty nearly complete, a few bones of a young person, bones of rats, polecats, and other animals, and chippings of a coarse kind of flint, none of which were of any marked or characteristic shape.

Thomas Bateman 1845. The second barrow [Map], which was much lower than the former, was untouched by any previous seekers of antiquities; yet having cleared the superincumbent strata from the floor of the barrow, nothing was discovered to repay the labour, until, on a close examination of the rock which appeared above the surface of the ground a circular excavation was perceived about the centre of the barrow which contained a large urn the upper part of which is ornamented, inverted over a deposit of burnt human bones, which, when viewed through a hole in the urn, presented a pleasing sight, being quite free from soil, and beautifully variegated with tints of blue and purple, from the action of heat. The urn is about thirteen inches in diameter, and fitted exactly the excavation made to receive it. In this barrow, as in the preceding, large quantities of rats' bones and chippings of coarse flint or chert were found.

Samuel Carrington 1851. On the 1st of March we resumed our labours for the season, having obtained permission to excavate two barrows near Broad Low Ash [Map], in a field to the right hand of the road leading from thence to Ashbourne, from which town they are about two miles distant. They are not more than ten yards asunder, and their diameters are respectively seventeen and twenty-two yards. We selected the least for examination first, and found it to consbt of stiff earth, with many large stones in the centre. On sinking down at this point, we found human bones that had been displaced to make room for a later interment; beneath was a grave cut one foot deep in the uatural soil, which was about a yard from the summit of the mound. The first undisturbed interment lay on the natural level, close to the north-east side of the grave. It was a skeleton reposing on its right side, with the head to the north, having with it a small spear-head of flint, and near the skuU a deposit of calcined human bones, containing two neatly chipped flints, both fractured from having been burnt with the body. We have here a double interment, by inhumation and cremation, suggesting a barbarous rite. Within the grave was the skeleton of a young person, lying on the right side, in the same direction as the others. Before the face was a very neatly ornamented vessel of clay, 5½ inches high, inverted upon the smooth side of a large boulder; and a small spear-head of flint. The ornamentation of the vase has been effected in part by a flat-sided pointed instrament, and partly by the thumb nail.

Samuel Carrington 1851. On the 8th of March we examined the largest barrow at Broad Low Ash [Map], which is so near the road as to have lost a part of one side by the fence, although the centre remained perfectly intact. By digging a trench, nine feet wide and eighteen feet long, through the middle, we found it to be entirely composed of earth, except in a place about two yards from the roadside, where there were a number of stones about a foot beneath the surface, and near them some charcoal, with burnt bones in small quantity, and flakes of flint. No other trace of interment was found.

In other barrows similarly composed of earth, flat stones and scattered bones have been found near the summit, all below being formed of solid earth, frequently in strata of different colour, which have evidently never been disturbed, whilst the most careful search has failed to discover any deposit in the usual situation on or below the natural soil; whence we may conclude that in this by no means unfrequent class of tumuli, the interment (generally by cremation) was for some reason placed near the surface, where it was so liable to destruction by cultivation and other causes so as to render it a matter of surprise that any remnants should have been preserved to the present day.

Ten Years' Digging Appendix. Barrow Near Warslow, Opened By Mr. Herbert Manclarke.

On the 18th of April, 1850, a barrow at Brownlow [Brown Low Barrows [Map]], near Warslow, was opened in the presence of numerous spectators, by Mr. Manclarke. It consisted mostly of earth, and was examined by digging a pit down the middle to the depth of five feet, when the undisturbed soil appeared strewed with charcoal, mixed with burnt bones, from among which were taken two pieces of flint, wherewith the discovery terminated.

On the 27th of November, 1851, a barrow near Warslow, called Lid-Low [Lid Low Barrow [Map]], was opened by Sir John Harpur Crewe, Bart., and Sir Gardner Wilkinson, in which they found a skeleton, accompanied by a fine bronze dagger, 7½ inches long, with two rivets attached to it, and two others separate, all lying near the head, besides two well-formed spear-heads of flint, the largest of which measures 2¾ inches in length.

Section I Tumuli 1759. Near Wardlow, a barrow [Map] [Wardlow Barrow 1 [Map]] was examined, in the year 1759, by the Rev. Mr. Evat, of Ashford. There were discovered in it about seventeen human bodies. These appeared to have been laid upon the surface of the ground, on long flat stones. They were inclosed by two side-walls, and the head and breast of each were protected from the incumbent weight of stone by a flat one laid over that part of the top. Two bodies near the middle of the barrow were walled up, and covered from head to foot, in the form of a long chest, with a stone cover to each. Jaw-bones, teeth, &c., were found undecayed, but none of the larger bones of the bodies. The barrow was thirty-two yards in diameter, and five feet high; the coffins or cells were two feet deep, and the complete ones were seven feet six inches long.

Wardlow Barrow 1 Account. Full title: XC. An Account of a remarkable Monument found near Ashford in Derbyshire: In a Letter from the Reverend Mr. Evatt, of Afhford, to Mr . Whitehurft, of Derby. Communicated by Benjamin Franklin, LL.D. F. R. S.

Dear Sir, Ashford, October 5, 1761.

Read 13 May 1761.

The following is the best account I am able to give you of the curiosity I told you of, discovered some time ago in our neighbourhood; to which I have added, an imperfect drawing, that, I hope, Will, notwithstanding, give you a tolerable idea of it.

In the year 1759, as fome people were making a turnpike-road through the village of Wardlow, near this place, they thought proper to take out of an adjoining field, a heap of ftone, that had lain there time immemorial, and without any tradition, that I could find, why it was thrown together in that place, although it was manifeft it was a work of art. Here, to their great furprize, upoh removing the ftone, they found a monument [Map], to the memory of feventeen perfons, or more, who had been there interred, in the manner exprdled in the drawing annexed. [Vide Tab. XV.]

The bodies appeared to have been laid upon the furface of the ground, upon long flat ftones, and their heads and breafts protected from the incumbent weight of ftone, by fmall walls made round them, with a flat ftone over the top, as I have endeavoured to exprefs in the figures, excepting the two capital ones, marked a, a, which were walled up, and covered from head to foot, in the form of a long chest, with a stone cover over each.

Stephen Glover 1831. Near to Wardlow a barrow [Wardlow Barrow 1 [Map]] was examined in the year 1759 by the Rev Mr Evat of Ashford. There were discovered in it about seventeen human bodies. These appeared to have been laid on the surface of the ground upon long flat stones They were enclosed by two side walls and the head and breast of each were protected from the incumbent weight of stone by a flat one laid over that part of the top Two bodies near the middle of the barrow were walled up and covered from head to foot in the form of a long chest with a stone cover to each Jaw bones teeth & c were found undecayed but none of the larger ones of the body The low was thirty two yards in diameter and five feet high The coffins were two feet deep and the complete ones seven feet six inches long.

Section I Tumuli 1765. About a mile west of the village of Winster, on the right hand side of the road leading from that place to Pike Hall, once stood a barrow [Map], generally known by the name of White Lowe, which was destroyed in the year 1765 or 1766, by the farmer to whose share it fell, upon the inclosure of the common on which it was situate. On this occasion one of the most interesting and valuable discoveries ever made in the county was casually brought to light; and it is much to be regretted that no systematic account of it was written at the time, and correct draughts of the objects taken, which is now impossible, as one article alone exists of all the valuable deposit (now in the possession of Mr. John Mander, of Bakewell). Such is the dearth of information upon this subject, that little more than a list of the articles can be furnished; premising, however, that they were found in the centre of the barrow, and upon the level of the natural soil, whether in company with a skeleton or not there is no evidence. The list is as follows: two large globular urns, seventeen inches in height and about thirteen in circumference (quere diameter); two glass vessels, about nine inches in height, with wide circular mouths, and a slight bulge in the middle: they were made of yellow glass, extremely thin and light, and when discovered contained about a pint of clear green water; several variegated beads, square and round, both of glass and earthenware; a large bracelet of silver, about an inch broad, joining at the ends in dovetail fashion, and studded with human heads; figures of animals, &c., which were affixed by rivets; also a large circular fibula of gold, set with garnets, or red glass, which was strengthened by being riveted upon a plate of silver, which was assigned to the close of the fifth century by that distinguished antiquary the Rev. James Douglas. In the barrow the glass vessels were placed on each side of the urns, and the other ornaments were lying near them; around them were remains of decayed wood, and pieces of brass in the form of clasps and hinges, which would indicate that the more precious articles had been deposited in a box.

It is highly probable that a small cross of pute gold in the author's museum was discovered in the preceding barrow; the style of workmanship is almost identical with that of the circular fibula just mentioned. It is engraved as a vignette on page 67 of Douglas's 'Nenia Britannica' and by that learned antiquary is considered, notwithstanding its crucial form, to be of an era anterior to the introduction of Christianity into Britain. The only circumstances connected with its discovery that are now to be depended upon are these: it was found in the process of demolishing a tumulus on Winster Common, about the year 1767, and was bought from the labourer who was so fortunate as to find it by the Rev. John Mason, then curate of Winster, who had a taste for antiquities.

Archaeologia Volume 3 Section XXIX. Discoveries in a Barrow [Winster Barrow [Map]] in Derbyshire. Communicated by Mr. Mander, of Bakewell, in the said County. Read at the Society of Antiquaries, March 17, 1768.

Section I Tumuli 1843. The first tumulus opened this season was situate upon the Meadow-place Farm, near Yolgrave, and is generally known as Bee Lowe [Map]; it was decided upon to open it on the 16th of June, when it was found to be impossible to excavate it in a proper manner, owing to the trees growing upon the sides; therefore the only method of examining it was by sinking a hole down the centre of the mound, which consisted of loose earth and stones, amongst which a profusion of rats' bones was met with. In the course of this excavation the broken fragments of a human skeleton were turned up, which made it evident that one interment at least had been disturbed at some former period. Amongst these bones were found a small arrow-head of flint, elegantly formed, two rude instruments of the same material, and about half a dozen horse's teeth. On reaching the native soil, which was about four feet from the top of the barrow, the primary deposit was found, consisting of burnt bones, amongst which was part of a bone pin, also calcined; and near to the same place lay some fragments of a well-baked clay urn, very tastefully ornamented with a chevron pattern, and which had been of the form of vessel designated "drinking cups" by Sir Richard Hoare, by which name they will be distinguished in the subsequent parts of this work, as a simple way of expressing their difference from the sepulchral urns and incense cups, although it is by no means certain that they were made use of for the purpose implied by the words "drinking cup."

Youlgrave. On the 3rd of May, we made a second investigation of the tumulus at Bee Low [Map], near Youlgrave, which was first imperfectly opened by us in 1843, the excavation being then confined to the centre; but the mound being a bowl-shaped one, upwards of twenty yards diameter, it was thought worth while to make a further trial in it, which was begun by digging from the old cutting in the middle to the south side. The first discovery made when we had proceeded about three yards, was a skeleton lying on its left side with the knees drawn up, and the head to the east, so that the face was turned to the outside of the barrow. It was about eighteen inches below the surface of the mound, and did not seem to have been placed in a cist, although two or three courses of flat stones were carefully laid over it: near the head were three small instruments of bronze, two of them awls, and a few bits of the same metal that had been melted, and which had originally been small instruments of similar character. This skeleton having been taken up, we perceived the ground on the right or western side of the trench to decline; following this indication, we came to an irregular grave cut in the rock, the bottom about 4 feet 6 inches from the surface of the barrow: it was surrounded by a lining of small flat stones placed on edge, and within this lining was a regular pitching, like a street pavement, of clear chert stones very closely packed, extending over the whole grave; above them earth and stones had been thrown in without' order, but underneath them was the skeleton of a young person resting in the usual contracted position, with the head to the south-west, the elbows almost in contact with the thigh bones, and the hands in front of the face. At the angle formed by the bending of the knees, was a beautiful drinking-cup, only 6½ inches high, ornamented by two variations of the lozengy pattern; it still retained its upright position, and close to it was a very fine instrument of white flint, upwards of four inches long, which may have been used either as a knife or saw. While tracing out the western extremity of this grave, our attention was drawn to a very large stone, set up in a direction from S.E. to N.W., on a little higher level than the bottom of the grave, which was at length found to be one end of a rectangular cist, the other sides and cover of which were formed of similar slabs. Its internal dimensions were 3 feet 6 inches long, 2 feet wide, and 3 feet deep; and it was filled with stiff earth and small gravelly stone, amongst which, near the top, were fragments of calcined bone, and a small bronze awl or pin; removing the earth down to the floor (which was rock), we there found the bones composing the skeleton of an aged man, with a short round cranium, carefully placed in a heap in the middle, the long bones laid parallel with each other, and the skull put at the top of the heap, with the base upward. The bones being perfect, it is evident that this arrangement had been made whilst they were fresh and strong; and it is not a little singular that a similar mode of interment exists among the Patagonians, who make skeletons of their dead previous to burial. After removing these bones we found two small flints, and a piece of stag's horn at the bottom. Great quantities of rats' bones were found through the whole of the excavation, but they were observed to be most abundant and best preserved around the second interment, with which, it may be proper to mention, there was a single piece of an infant's skull, no other of its bones being found by a most careful examination. The accompanying plan represents the position of the various interments in the barrow; the flat stone shewn with burnt bones in the centre, being found in 1843.

Thomas Bateman 1845. A discovery, made in the month of June, 1845, of a large urn inverted over a deposit of calcined human bones, at the outer edge of a small barrow [Map] upon Harthill Moor, which was undergoing a process of demolition, in order that the land might he brought into cultivation, coupled with a knowledge of the very productive character of that neighbourhood in matters of antiquity led to a successful search for the whole contents of the barrow on the 12th of June. The elevation of the tumulus above the surrounding land was so slight as to be scarcely perceptible; and had it not been for the accidental discovery of the large urn, the other interesting remains would have probably remained in obscurity. But to return to facts: the remains of the large urn and its contents being carefully collected, it was found to be of very coarse material, and singular workmanship, presenting a strong contrast to the remains of two elaborately-ornamented and really elegant urns, which were found on cutting a short distance into the mound, lying amongst a confused stratum of calcined bones. On arriving at the centre of the tumulus, a very large sandstone was perceived, on the south side of the excavation, which was at first supposed to be a rock. Close to the edge of this stone was found an interment of calcined bones, accompanied by two broken incense cups, of novel form and very superior workmanship, and on examining the bones two rude instruments of flint were discovered amongst them. On clearing away the earth from the side of the large stone, the upper edge of one of smaller dimensions was perceived, which proved to be one side of a very perfect cist, measuring from the floor to the under side of the cover three feet from end to end four feet six inches and about three feet in width; the immense stone which formed the cover was about two feet in thickness and about seven feet square on an average. This cist, divested of the surrounding earth, would present to view the erection usually denominated a cromlech. It was found to be almost entirely full of fine and beautifully clear sand, amongst which were large quantities of calcined human bones, some small pieces of an urn, and upon its floor were very evident remains of heath. (A correct view of this cist, as it appeared when opened, forms the vignette in the title-page of "Barrow-digging by a Barrow-knight," 1845.)

On the 14th of June, 1845, at a very short distance from the preceding barrow, another small cist was discovered, at a short distance beneath the surface, measuring two feet in length, about one foot in width, thus forming a perfect parallelogram. It was found to contain a large quantity of human bones, which had undergone cremation, and a few pieces of pottery, one of which formed part of the edge of the large urn which is mentioned in the preceding account as having led to the discovery of the others. No other antiquities were found, although the excavation was continued for a considerable extent in the immediate neighbourhood.