Europe, British Isles, North-Central England, Derbyshire Dales, Hartington [Map]
Hartington is in Derbyshire Dales.
In 1510 John Pole of Hartington was born in Hartington [Map].
In 1801 Thomas Bateman (age 40) sold the family lands in Hartington [Map].
The River Dove rises on Axe Edge Moor [Map] after which it travels broadly south past Longnor, Saffordshire [Map], Pilsbury [Map], Hartington [Map], Milldale, Derbyshire [Map], Thorpe, Derbyshire [Map], just before whic it is joined by the River Manifold, Mapleton, Derbyshire [Map], Mayfield, Staffordshire [Map], Norbury, Derbyshire [Map], Rocester, Staffordshire [Map], Sudbury Hall [Map] and Tutbury Castle, Staffordshire [Map] before joining the River Trent at Newton Solney [Map].
Europe, British Isles, North-Central England, Derbyshire Dales, Hartington, Aleck aka Ell Low [Map]
Aleck aka Ell Low is also in Peak District Bronze Age Barrows.
Section I Tumuli 1843. August the 5th 1843 was opened a barrow called Elk Lowe [Map] (quere Ell? that being the ancient British word signifying conspicuous) situate on a considerable eminence near Newhaven. It is of the form which Dr. Stukeley assigns to Druids' barrows without any substantial grounds. The only point in which this kind of tumulus differs from the general form being in the central depression which in this case is so much extended as to spread out into a level and circular area surrounded by a more elevated ring or rampire of earth or stones. In the barrow in question this circle was constructed of very large stones inclining towards the central plain, and covered with small stones and earth, thus forming an extremely durable erection to the height of about three feet, whilst the interior area is not more than one foot above the level of the surrounding soil. In the centre of this space, upon a stratum of stiff clay, was laid a skeleton, whose head rested upon a large limestone. This clay, appearing to replace soil (which had been removed for about a foot in depth below the natural surface), was dug out and carefully examined, and from amongst it were taken a large flint arrow- or lance-head, three other instruments of the same material, and a small piece of sandstone, rubbed smooth. These articles were immediately beneath the skeleton, on whose right hand lay a deposit of burnt human bones, containing an arrow-head of flint, also calcined, and a considerable quantity of charcoal, amongst which were several hazel-nuts, still retaining their perfect form. In other parts of the area, the remains of two more skeletons and some fragments of a large urn, composed of imperfectly baked clay, profusely ornamented, were found. A few dogs' teeth were also observed. The most remarkable circumstance attending the opening of this barrow was the discovery of rats' bones in an unprecedented quantity the whole of the interior circle of the area being covered with a stratum of them not less than three inches in thickness.
Europe, British Isles, North-Central England, Derbyshire Dales, Hartington, Bank Top Barrow [Map]
Bank Top Barrow is also in Peak District Bronze Age Barrows.
Ten Years' Digging 1853. On the 10th of April, we examined a mound [Bank Top Barrow [Map]] situated in a small waterless valley near the farm-house at Bank Top, near Hartington, but found that although it had evidently been cast up as a barrow, its contents had been removed at a former period, as we discovered traces of recent excavation in the presence of pieces of earthenware, such as was used in the last century, dispersed throughout the centre. The tumulus was composed of earth and stones, heaped up on the surface of the land to the height of three feet at least. We observed numerous pieces of animal bone, part of a stag's horn, and a few pieces of Romano-British pottery about the natural surface; one of the latter is the circular bottom of a vessel about three inches diameter, which appears to have had the broken edge rubbed down previous to its being buried.
Europe, British Isles, North-Central England, Derbyshire Dales, Hartington, Biggin [Map]
Europe, British Isles, North-Central England, Derbyshire Dales, Hartington, Biggin, Wolfscote Hill Barrow [Map]
Wolfscote Hill Barrow is also in Peak District Bronze Age Barrows.
Stephen Glover 1831. A large barrow [Wolfscote Hill Barrow [Map]] is to be seen on a high eminence called Wolfs-cote hill, in Hartington parish; and upon the common, which extends ten miles in the direction of north and south, are many barrows, generally situate on the highest points of ground. Near Brassington there is a remarkable low or barrow, called Mining low [Map], having a number of vaults carried round its circumference, several of them now exposed to sight. During the time of the enclosure, a quantity of human bones were found on the moor.
Section I Tumuli 1843. August 23d, 1843, the large and well-known barrow upon the summit of Wolfscote Hill [Map], near Biggin [Map], was opened by cutting a wide trench from the south side towards the central depression. Shortly before arriving at this point, a cist, built of large limestones, was discovered immediately across the cutting and on the level of the natural ground. This vault, having no cover, was filled with earth and stones, which had settled down into it. On these being cleared out, the contents of the cist were found to be the remains of two young children, accompanied by an urn of sun-dried clay, rather neatly ornamented. This, owing to the settling of the mound, was crushed to pieces, and lay on one side on the floor of the cist, which was covered with rats' bones. On reaching the centre of the tumulus, it became very apparent that that part had been opened previously and the contents destroyed, the only remains now found being fragments of two urns, the bones of a similar number of human skeletons, and a variety of animal remains, all which had been taken out and thrown in again with the soil at the time of the prior opening of this barrow.
Ecton Hill. On the 14th of June we made several cuttings in the conspicuous barrow on WolfscoteHill [Wolfscote Hill Barrow [Map]], which was opened in 1844, the first of which was from the south west side. We continued it for about four yards, and found the actual height of artificial material to be six feet, consisting entirely of stone, small above and increasing in size towards the base, where the stones were arranged so as to incline to the centre. Another opening was made at the east side, where the stone was intermixed with earth abounding in rats' bones, splinters of human bone, and flakes of flint.
Europe, British Isles, North-Central England, Derbyshire Dales, Hartington, Brundcliffe Barrow [Map]
Brundcliffe Barrow is also in Peak District Bronze Age Barrows.
Thomas Bateman 1846. On February 20th 1847 was opened a barrow [Map] [Brundcliffe Barrow [Map]] near Bruncliff in Hartington parish which was raised to a height of upwards of three feet above a grave or cist cut in the rock and descending about two feet below the natural surface thus giving a depth of rather more than five feet of factitious earth from the summit to the floor of the tumulus. About eighteen inches beneath the turf was a deposit of calcined animal bones accompanied by a great quantity of charred wood. From the discovery of a perfect tooth amongst these remains it appears that the victim in this instance had been a young horse. About the same level occurred a small piece of pottery and a point or tine of a stag's horn. Upon the floor of the grave lay a human skeleton which appeared to have been extended at full lengthy and to have been laid upon its back with the arms straight down the sides; this however is not quite certain, as the decayed and mouldering state of the bones rendered any very accurate observations impossible. To the left of the pelvis lay a narrow-necked vessel of red clay having a lip for the convenience of pouring out liquid; this was placed in a horizontal position with the mouth towards the upper part of the skeleton; in contact with it lay a curved iron knife, six inches in length, with a wooden haft much decayed. Close to the tibia or leg-bone was placed an article principally composed of iron and wood, the use of which is by no means obvious, upon one part of it is a small silver cell or settings which had retained a stone or gem of some description.
From the very evident traces of decayed planks around the bones, it is highly probable that the body had been protected by them, if not inclosed in a coffin of more regular construction. The vessel appears to have had a handle, which was broken off and smoothed down previous to its interment; it bears marks of being a copy firom a classical model, and has been turned upon a potter's wheel, an invention probably unknown to the Celtic tribes previous to the Roman conquest.
Europe, British Isles, North-Central England, Derbyshire Dales, Hartington, Carder Low [Map]
Carder Low is also in Peak District Bronze Age Barrows.
Thomas Bateman 1845. On the 21st of May, 1845, was opened a barrow called Carder Lowe [Map], near Hartington, which is about fourteen yards in diameter, and, owing to the former removal of its summit, is not more than two feet in average elevation. In the process of excavation about eighty quartz pebbles and several instruments of flint were found, amongst the latter a very neatly-formed barbed arrow-head. These articles were possibly cast into the mound during its construction by mourners and friends of the deceased, as tokens of respect. In addition to these were a few pieces of a coarse urn, curiously ornamented.
About the centre was found the skeleton of the chiefs over whom the barrow had been at first raised. He lay upon the right side, with the head towards the east, and the legs contracted very slightly; at his elbow lay a splendid brass or bronze dagger, in a good state of preservation. It has three large rivets remaining, which had securely attached the handle, which was still easily traceable by the wood of which it had been composed having decayed into a black mould, which contrasted strongly with the light-coloured, clayey soil in which the body was imbedded. A few inches lower down was placed a beautiful axe- or hammer-head of light-coloured basalt of much smaller size than usual, and which was originally nicely polished. Close to the head was found a small piece of calcined flint, of no apparent design or form. The skeleton was surrounded with rats' bones, the undoubted remains of those four-footed cannibals who had preyed upon the body, and had endeavoured to devour the bones of this ancient British chief, many of the latter were half-eaten away. Rather nearer to the south side of the barrow, and on a higher level, another interment was discovered, which consisted of a skeleton of mighty size, the femur or thigh-bone measuring twenty-three inches in length, which would give a height to the owner, when alive, of six feet, eight or ten inches. Along with this lengthy individual, an iron knife and three hones of sandstone were deposited; also a few pieces of calcined bone. This was evidently a secondary interment, of later date than the one previously described, which was undoubtedly the original one.
Note. The bronze dagger on display at Weston Park Museum, Sheffield.
Europe, British Isles, North-Central England, Derbyshire Dales, Hartington, Cotes Field Barrow [Map]
Cotes Field Barrow is also in Peak District Bronze Age Barrows.
Hill Head. On the 10th of June, we examined the remnant of a barrow [Cotes Field Barrow [Map]] at Cotes Field, near Hartington, but were disappointed by finding the interior occupied by the ruins of a limekiln; a few fragments of human bone, and bones of rats, alone testifying to the sepulchral origin of the mound.
Europe, British Isles, North-Central England, Derbyshire Dales, Hartington, End Low Barrow [Map]
End Low Barrow is also in Peak District Bronze Age Barrows.
Stephen Glover 1831. About the distance of half a mile from Arbor low to the west is another large barrow called End low [Map] in which ashes and burnt bones have been found. From this numerous barrows may be seen on the distant eminences and in some of them urns human bones ashes and other memorials of the customs of remote ages have been discovered. The names of several places in this neighbourhood are also indicative of antiquity though the places themselves are now of little account as Aldwark five miles south of Arbor low on the Roman road from Buxton to Little Chester; Aldport on another ancient way leading from Aldwark towards Bakewell and some others.
Section I Tumuli 1843. On the 2d of August 1843 a fresh excavation was made into the large tumulus on End Lowe [Map] in a contrary direction to the one made on the former attempt and unfortunately with no better success. The surface not being reached only a few human bones and teeth were seen distributed through the barrow. The discovery of the primary interment in this immense accumulation of stone therefore still remains a desideratum to the Derbyshire archaeologist.
Section I Tumuli 1843. June 21, 1848. A large barrow about eight feet in height, denominated End Lowe [Map], which forms a conspicuous object, being placed on an elevated ridge of land near Heathcote, was subjected to an examination, which proved anything but satisfactory; from the south side, where the turf was first removed, to the centre of the barrow, nothing but large stones presented themselves, which when unmixed with soil, as in this case, are the material worst calculated to afford success to the labours of the antiquarian excavator: however, at the very commencement large quantities of rats' bones, and pieces of the antlers of deer were abundantly scattered about through the more open parts of the mound. About six feet from the southern verge of the circle, was found a human skeleton, apparently of a very young individual, not more than twelve years of age, near which lay a deposit of calcined human bones, without urn or other means of protection from the weight of the overriding mass of stones, by which the skeleton had been much injured. Near the centre of the tumulus a very few human bones of adult size were observed, all of which had the appearance of being gnawed by rats. The natural surface of the ground immediately beneath the middle of the mound was formed to sink to a considerable depth lower than the surrounding levels and it is much to be regretted that owing to the loose nature of the barrow before alluded to it was formed impossible to penetrate to the undisturbed ground upon which in all probability the earliest interment would be formed to lie.
End Low. On the 13th of July we re-opened the large barrow at End Low [Map], which was first attempted in 1843, without our finding the primary interment. Our researches this time resulted in the discovery of the remains of the original occupant, which were, after the expenditure of much labour, found in a cist cut down in the rock to the depth of six feet beneath the natural surface, and upwards of ten feet from the top of the barrow. The skeleton was that of a finely proportioned man, rather above the middle size, and was in good preservation, with the exception of the head, which was decayed at the left side, from contact with the floor of the grave. The bones lay apparently without much regularity, which was attribute able to the settling down of the stones upon the body during the process of decay. At a small distance from them was a bronze dagger and spear head of flint, of a grey colour. The grave was bounded on three sides by rock, and the remaining one was walled up to a level with them with loose limestones. The skull is engraved in the Crania Britannica, and is described by the learned writer as "a well-formed head, presenting very clearly the conformation of the true ancient British cranium, of which it may be regarded as belonging to the typical scries." The femur measures 18.8 inches.
Europe, British Isles, North-Central England, Derbyshire Dales, Hartington, Hawk's Low Barrow [Map]
Hawk's Low Barrow is also in Peak District Bronze Age Barrows.
Section I Tumuli 1843. 12th of August 1843, was opened a large barrow, called Hawk's Lowe [Map] about two miles north-west of the village of Parwich [Map]. It is about thirty yards in diameter and five feet in height, and has been dug into several times by various persons. At the depth of a foot or eighteen inches from the surface of the mound, on the occasion in question, were found human bones, pieces of flint and urns, horses' teeth, and rats' bones, but no appearance of an undisturbed interment was to be seen. Lower down, in the interior of the barrow, every sign of its former contents disappeared, nor was anything farther discovered.
Europe, British Isles, North-Central England, Derbyshire Dales, Hartington, Hollins Hill Barrow [Map]
Hollins Hill Barrow is also in Peak District Bronze Age Barrows.
Stakor Hill. On the 4th of September, we opened a barrow [Hollins Hill Barrow [Map]] on the summit of a very steep hill, called Hollings, overlooking the almost unapproachable village of Rollings Clough. The barrow, which appeared to have been previously excavated, as about twelve yards diameter and four feet high, with a concave centre like a basin. By cutting out a large hole, we found that it covered a grave cut in loose sandstone rock to the depth of two feet, in addition to the height of the mound; the grave measured about eight feet long by seven wide, and contained numerous pieces of calcined human bone, which had apparently been burnt at the south-east corner, where the sides were quite red from the effect of the fire. A piece of slate pencil, and an old-fashioned button, were fotmd near the surface, which proved that the mound had been so far disturbed, and the scattered way in which the burnt bones were disposed amongst the stones filling the grave, led us to think that the whole had been plundered.
Europe, British Isles, North-Central England, Derbyshire Dales, Hartington, Lean Low Barrow [Map]
Lean Low Barrow is also in Peak District Bronze Age Barrows.
Section I Tumuli 1843. June 17, 1843, was opened a barrow, called Lean Lowe [Map], situated on the summit of a hill near Hartington [Map]. The south side being most perfect it was deemed most prudent to commence the cutting on that side. Having penetrated to within about two feet from the middle of the mound, an interment was met with, which was probably not so early as the date of the original construction of the tumulus, as, instead of being placed upon the floor of the pile, as usual, it had been buried without care upon a higher level. The head lay between two large stones on the south-west side of the circle, and appeared to have been slightly protected by another stone lying across them. The legs lay in the direction of the interior of the barrow. This interment was devoid of any interest arising from the deposit of weapons or other articles, as nothing of the kind was discovered, more than two horse's teeth, and rats' bones in quantities. Owing to an erection of turf and stones, pertaining to the Ordnance Survey, which surmounted the top of the mound, it was found impracticable to explore the middle of it, which would probably have afforded far more interesting results. (See forward for further discoveries in this tumulus.)
Thomas Bateman 1846. The barrow at Lean Lowe [Map], opened on the 17th of June,, 1843, without any decisive results, was again excavated on the 23d of February 1847; when the operations were confined to the north side of the tumulus, a part previously unexplored. About eighteen inches beneath the surface was found a small urn of very coarse clay, neatly ornamented, deposited in a rude cist formed of four large stones; around the urn were many pieces of calcined bone, which did not appear ever to have been placed within it; on the contrary, it contained some splinters of animal bones, which were free from the action of fire, and a small knife of black flint. Laid upon the rock, about a foot deeper than the vase, was a human skeleton, in a contracted position and imbedded in rats' bones, but unaccompanied by any kind of relic. These bones were the remains of a young person, whose age probably did not exceed sixteen years, and whose teeth are beautifully regular.
Europe, British Isles, North-Central England, Derbyshire Dales, Hartington, Liffs Low Barrow [Map]
Liffs Low Barrow is also in Peak District Bronze Age Barrows.
Section I Tumuli 1843. July 14th, 1843, one of the most interesting barrows ever examined in this vicinity was opened. It is situated upon a ridge of high land, near the village of Biggin, which goes by the name of the "Liffs [Map]," the barrow itself having no specific name: the mound had been sadly mutilated, at least one third of it having been removed; notwithstanding this the truth of Sir Richard Hoare's maxim, "fronta nulla fides," was agreeably exemplified. That hemisphere of the circle which still remained the most perfect was selected as the place where to commence operations: on reaching the thickest part of the circle, which, owing to the depression usual in the middle of most barrows, would be about two yards from the centre, a few human bones, horses' teeth, various animal bones, and two small pieces of a very thick and coarse urn, were found; but not until penetrating to the heart of the barrow was the principal interment discovered. In that situation an octagonal cist was erected of the usual material, namely, thin flat lime-stones, which are admirably adapted for the purpose; this vault was about half filled with stiff clay, imbedded in which lay a fine human skeleton, whose knees were drawn up, according to a general custom, prevalent in the most remote ages. The extreme antiquity of this interment is demonstrated by the simple form and material of the weapons and tools which were, with one exception, deposited in a cluster behind the shoulders of this early denizen of the Derbyshire moors. The skull, which is fine and intellectual, lay on the left side so as to look towards the west, and in the angle formed by the contraction of the knees, was placed a hammer-head ingeniously constructed out of the lower part of the horn of a noble red deer; one end of this instrument is rounded and polished, the other is cut into a diamond pattern, somewhat similar to the wafer stamps used by attorneys. The articles before alluded to as being placed near the shoulders were of a very miscellaneous character, and highly interesting; as showing, after a lapse of several thousand years, that the savage Briton reposing in this cairn had cultivated the art of making war amongst the inhabitants of the forest, in preference to molesting his fellow-savages; as almost the first observed articles were a pair of enormous tusks of the wild boar, the trophies of some, perhaps his last, sylvan triumph; next came two arrow-heads of flint, delicately chipped, and of unusual form; two flint celts or chisels, beautifully chipped and polished at the cutting edges; two spear-heads of the same material; two flint knives polished on the edge, one of them serrated on the back, in order to serve as a saw; and numerous other pieces of flints of indescribable form and use, which, together with all the flint instruments enumerated above, seem to have undergone a partial calcination being gray tinted with various shades of blue and pink; with these utensils were found three pieces of red ochre, the rouge of these unsophisticated huntsmen which, even now, on being wetted imparts a bright red colour to the skin, which is by no means easy to discharge. Upon the summit of the little heap, formed by this accumulation of relics, lay a small drinking or incense cup of novel and unprecedented shape, which was unfortunately broken and crushed, but has been since restored. The absence of instruments of metal in this and other barrows should be borne in mind; it is commented on in another part of this work.
Europe, British Isles, North-Central England, Derbyshire Dales, Hartington, Low Moor Barrow 1 [Map]
Low Moor Barrow 1 is also in Peak District Bronze Age Barrows.
Parwich. Next day we were engaged in opening barrows [Low Moor Barrow 1 [Map] and Low Moor Barrow 2 [Map]] upon Low Moor near Parwich. The first was, to all appearance, a large and perfect tumulus, but we were disappointed by finding the remains of a lime-kiln in the middle, which had been constructed above a large grave in the rock, the covering slabs of which had been converted into the roof of the draught hole of the kiln. After this discovery we abandoned the search, having found no human remains. The other barrow was much smaller, the central elevation being only a foot, it was, nevertheless, found to cover a grave sunk through the natural soil into the rock, to the further depth of six feet. About two feet from the surface we met with fragments of pottery, pieces of human bone, burnt and unburnt, and traces of decomposed wood which lay in a regular stratum amongst the stones by which the grave was filled. After much labour we succeeded in emptying the grave, which did not exhibit any marks of former opening, until about the end of our operations, when such became too evident on the discovery of the skeleton of an infant and some pieces of a roughly ornamented vase, carelessly thrown together in a corner; while, to make assurance doubly sure, at the other end of the grave was a piece of rusty iron, bearing a suspicious resemblance to the end of a pick, by no means primitive in form. The former opening must have taken place at an ancient, perhaps medieval, period, as the stones filling the grave were all of one colour from having lain in the damp so long, and were quite free from earth which might have fallen from the surface, so that we had no idea of its having been disturbed till we reached the bottom.
Europe, British Isles, North-Central England, Derbyshire Dales, Hartington, Low Moor Barrow 2 [Map]
Low Moor Barrow 2 is also in Peak District Bronze Age Barrows.
Parwich. Next day we were engaged in opening barrows [Low Moor Barrow 1 [Map] and Low Moor Barrow 2 [Map]] upon Low Moor near Parwich. The first was, to all appearance, a large and perfect tumulus, but we were disappointed by finding the remains of a lime-kiln in the middle, which had been constructed above a large grave in the rock, the covering slabs of which had been converted into the roof of the draught hole of the kiln. After this discovery we abandoned the search, having found no human remains. The other barrow was much smaller, the central elevation being only a foot, it was, nevertheless, found to cover a grave sunk through the natural soil into the rock, to the further depth of six feet. About two feet from the surface we met with fragments of pottery, pieces of human bone, burnt and unburnt, and traces of decomposed wood which lay in a regular stratum amongst the stones by which the grave was filled. After much labour we succeeded in emptying the grave, which did not exhibit any marks of former opening, until about the end of our operations, when such became too evident on the discovery of the skeleton of an infant and some pieces of a roughly ornamented vase, carelessly thrown together in a corner; while, to make assurance doubly sure, at the other end of the grave was a piece of rusty iron, bearing a suspicious resemblance to the end of a pick, by no means primitive in form. The former opening must have taken place at an ancient, perhaps medieval, period, as the stones filling the grave were all of one colour from having lain in the damp so long, and were quite free from earth which might have fallen from the surface, so that we had no idea of its having been disturbed till we reached the bottom.
Europe, British Isles, North-Central England, Derbyshire Dales, Hartington, Moneystones Barrow 1 [Map]
Moneystones Barrow 1 is also in Peak District Bronze Age Barrows.
Moneystones. There are two barrows in the valley adjoining a hill near Hartington called Casking Low, which are commonly called Moneystones. The largest [Map] [Moneystones Barrow 1 [Map]] has been nearly removed, for the sake of the limestone it contained, and has been further rifled by treasure-seekers allured by the attractive name. On this account our researches on the 15th of July proved unavailing, as we found nothing but fragments of human skeletons and bits of flint. The smaller barrow [Map] [Moneystones Barrow 2 [Map]] is in the same field, about one hundred yards from the other, measures about six yards across, and is surrounded by a circle of large limestones, whose grey and lichen-covered surfaces, rising above the turf, present a venerable and old-world appearance. Near the surface, about the centre, we found a skeleton having no implements. Somewhat lower down the earth at first sight appeared to be quite undisturbed; but on closer examination we detected particles of charcoal, and consequently proceeded till, at the depth of about a yard, we discovered two more skeletons, lying in the usual contracted posture upon the top of the natural rock. They were both much decayed, and had each but one spear head of flint, though they were surrounded by a slight sprinkling of chippings of the same material.
Europe, British Isles, North-Central England, Derbyshire Dales, Hartington, Moneystones Barrow 2 [Map]
Moneystones Barrow 2 is also in Peak District Bronze Age Barrows.
Moneystones. There are two barrows in the valley adjoining a hill near Hartington called Casking Low, which are commonly called Moneystones. The largest [Map] [Moneystones Barrow 1 [Map]] has been nearly removed, for the sake of the limestone it contained, and has been further rifled by treasure-seekers allured by the attractive name. On this account our researches on the 15th of July proved unavailing, as we found nothing but fragments of human skeletons and bits of flint. The smaller barrow [Map] [Moneystones Barrow 2 [Map]] is in the same field, about one hundred yards from the other, measures about six yards across, and is surrounded by a circle of large limestones, whose grey and lichen-covered surfaces, rising above the turf, present a venerable and old-world appearance. Near the surface, about the centre, we found a skeleton having no implements. Somewhat lower down the earth at first sight appeared to be quite undisturbed; but on closer examination we detected particles of charcoal, and consequently proceeded till, at the depth of about a yard, we discovered two more skeletons, lying in the usual contracted posture upon the top of the natural rock. They were both much decayed, and had each but one spear head of flint, though they were surrounded by a slight sprinkling of chippings of the same material.
Europe, British Isles, North-Central England, Derbyshire Dales, Hartington, Parsley Hay Barrow [Map]
Parsley Hay Barrow is also in Peak District Bronze Age Barrows.
Parsley Hay. March 6th was passed in opening a cairn or tumulus [Map] [Parsley Hay Barrow [Map]] of stone in a plantation near the Parcelly Hay wharf of the Cromford and High Peak Railway. We found the primary interment beneath the middle of the barrow, in a small oval excavation in the rook below the natural surface of the land, about three feet in depth, and not exceeding the same in its greatest diameter, consequently the body had been placed upright in a sitting or crouching posture, as was abundantly evident from the order in which the bones were found. The grave was roughly covered in with large flat slabs of limestone, which had prevented the material of the tumulus from quite filling it up; a good deal of earth had, however, been washed in, which had the effect of preserving the bones in unusual perfection. The remains accompanying the body were of the poorest description, consisting merely of three pieces of chipped flint, some shreds from a drinking cup, and various animal bones and teeth, some of which were calcined. The fine skull from this interment has been engraved in the magnificent work by Messrs. Davis and Thumam, entitled "Crania Britannica," where its internal capacity is given at 72½ ounces; length of the femur, 18.3 inches. The high antiquity of this interment may be inferred when we take into consideration the fact, that upon the covering stones there lay another skeleton, quite unprotected from the loose stone of the barrow, and accompanied by weapons indicating that the owner lived at a very remote period. This body was badly preserved, owing to the percolation of water through the over lying stones, but it appeared to have been laid as usual upon the lefl side, with the knees slightly advanced; near the upper part of the person were placed a very elegantly formed axe head of granite, with a hole for the shaft, and a very fine bronze dagger of the earliest or archaic bronze period, with three studs for fastening the handle. The engraving gives an accurate section of this remarkable barrow,
Barrows near Arbor Low. On the 15th of March, we re-opened a barrow near the boundary of Middleton Moor, in the direction of Parcelly Hay [Note. Possibly Parsley Hay Barrow [Map]], which was unsuccessfully opened by Mr.W. Bateman on the 28th of July, 1824; nor did our researches lead to a more satisfactory result, as the entire mound seemed to have been turned over by deep ploughing by which the interments, consisting of two skeletons and a deposit of burnt bones, had been so dragged about as to present no characteristic worthy of observation. A neat whetstone was picked up amongst these ruins, and a carefully chipped leaf-shaped arrow-point of flint has since been found by ploughing across the barrow. About fifty yards South-east of the last, is another barrow of very small size, both as to diameter and height; so inconsiderable indeed are its dimensions, that it was quite overlooked in 1824. Fortunately the contents, with the exception of one skeleton that lay near the surface, had been enclosed in a cist, sunk a few inches beneath the level of the soil. As in the companion barrow, the skeleton near the top was dismembered by the plough, so that it afforded nothing worthy of notice - the original interment, however, which lay rather deeper, in a kind of rude cist or enclosure, formed by ten shapeless masses of limestone, amply repaid our labour. The persons thus interred consisted of a female in the prime of life, and a child of about four years of age; the former had been placed on the floor of the grave on her left side, with the knees drawn up; the child was placed above her, and rather behind her shoulders: they were surrounded and covered with innumerable bones of the water-vole, or rat, and near the woman was a cow's tooth, an article uniformly found with the more ancient interments. Round her neck was a necklace of variously shaped beads and other trinkets of jet and bone, curiously ornamented, upon the whole resembling those found at Cow Low [Map] in 1846, (Vestiges p. 92,) but differing from them in many details. The various pieces of this compound ornament are 420 in number, which unusual quantity is accounted for by the fact of 348 of the beads being thin laminae only; 54 are of cylindrical form, and the 18 remaining pieces are conical studs and perforated plates, the latter in some cases ornamented with punctured patterns. Altogether, the necklace is the most elaborate production of the pre-metallic period that I have seen. The skull, in perfect preservation, is beautiful in its proportions, and has been selected to appear in the Crania Britannica, as the type of the ancient British female. The femur measures 15¼ inches. The engraving represents the arrangement of the cist.
Europe, British Isles, North-Central England, Derbyshire Dales, Hartington, Parwich [Map]
Europe, British Isles, North-Central England, Derbyshire Dales, Hartington, Roystone Grange Barrow [Map]
Roystone Grange Barrow is also in Peak District Bronze Age Barrows.
Minninglow. On the 13th of August we opened a barrow [Map] [Roystone Grange Barrow [Map]] at Ryestone Grange, close to Minninglow farm, which is a tolerably perfect mound, 11 yards across and near four feet high, but crossed by a thick stone wall which greatly impeded our operations, and which there is reason to believe prevented the discovery of the primary interment. At one side of the wall we found many bones, both human and animal; the only undisturbed skeleton being that of a ohild, buried about a foot from the surface and unaccompanied by anything of interest; among the animal bones were some teeth of dogs. On the other side of the wall we found an iron knife, of the usual Saxon shape, about a foot beneath the turf; and on the natural surface below, a deposit of calcined bones containing a bone pin. By undercutting the wall as far as practicable, we ascertained that the centre of the barrow was principally of earth surrounded by large stones inclining inwards, and from this locality we drew out a piece of curiously ornamented pottery of primitive manufacture.
Europe, British Isles, North-Central England, Derbyshire Dales, Hartington, Saint's Hill Barrow [Map]
Saint's Hill Barrow is also in Peak District Bronze Age Barrows.
Parwich. On the 9th of August we made an examination of the remains of a tumulus [Map] [Saint's Hill Barrow [Map]] in a plantation on the summit of Saint's Hill, near Parwich, which had been destroyed by getting stone for the walls enclosing the plantation, when about 80 small brass coins of the later Roman Emperors were found scattered about the barrow.
Owing to the double destruction caused by stone getters, and persons tempted to search by the discovery of the coins, we were unable to find a single inch of undisturbed ground, and the sole evidence of former interments was afforded by two human teeth and some rats' bones.
Europe, British Isles, North-Central England, Derbyshire Dales, Hartington, Saint's Low Barrow [Map]
Saint's Low Barrow is also in Peak District Bronze Age Barrows.
Parwich. On the 6th of August we made a section into the smallest of two mounds, near Parwich, situated in a field, called, I believe, from the owner or occupier, Saint's Low [Map], in a low situation near a small watercourse. The composition of the mound, notwithstanding its affix of "Low," indicating no artificial origin, the investigation was relinquished without our interfering with the larger mound close by.
Europe, British Isles, North-Central England, Derbyshire Dales, Hartington, St Giles Church [Map]
On or before 14 Dec 1677, the date he was baptised at St Giles Church, Hartington [Map], Richard Bateman was born. He
On or before 14 Dec 1727, the date he was baptised at St Giles Church, Hartington [Map] on 14 Dec 1727, Richard Bateman was born to Richard Bateman (age 50)
On 27 Dec 1760 Thomas Bateman was born to Richard Bateman (age 33) and Elizabeth Leek. He was baptised at St Giles Church, Hartington [Map] on 28 Sep 1760.
On 26 May 1847 Thomas Bateman (age 86) died. He was buried at St Giles Church, Hartington [Map].
Europe, British Isles, North-Central England, Derbyshire Dales, Hartington, Vincent Knoll Barrow [Map]
Vincent Knoll Barrow is also in Prehistoric Peak Distrct Roman and Saxon Barrows.
Vincent Knoll. May 24th. - We explored the remnant of a large barrow in a field near Parcelly Hay, called Vincent Knoll [Map]. The portion remaining had been the central part of the mound, and had been recently disturbed down to the natural surface of the field, fortunately without injury to the interments, which lay about two feet deeper in an irregularly shaped grave cut in the rock for their reception. To make the description intelligible we will call the grave an elongated oval though it was not strictly so, the rock having been removed in accordance with the natural angular and irregular joints. At one side of the grave was a skeleton, lying on its left side with the legs gathered up, accompanied only by the core of a cow's horn which lay upon the ribs. This skeleton, which was that of a male, exhibited a singular malformation of the upper part of each femur; close to its feet, and near one eixd of the oval, was a second skeleton of slender make which had been buried in a slovenly manner, it had with it a very large tooth of some animal, which, as well as both skeletons, was much decayed: they were surrounded by rats' bones, and a few inches above them was a thin layer of black earth, running through the small stones that filled this part of the grave. On the opposite side lay a third skeleton which faced the first, and was deposited in the same portion on its left side, the head being, of necessity, in the contrary direction: near the pelvis was a very neat circular ended instrument of white flint, and about a foot from the legs was a small iron spear with an open socket much corroded, which, however, did not appear to belong to the interment. This body in better condition than the others, was not surrounded by so many rats' bones, and was covered by larger stones. Following the side of the grave to the end of the oval, opposite to that occupied by the second skeleton, was found, about two feet from the last, the upper part of a fourth, to which, it is probable, the iron spear belonged: the bones were in good condition, but lay huddled together as if the body had been hastily buried. Careful observation at the time led to the conclusion that the two first bodies were interred at the same time, that the third deposit took place at a subsequent, but very early period, and that the fourth was of comparatively modem introduction, not dating earlier than the Pagan-Saxon age.