Gib Hill: A Dual Barrow Monument
Gib Hill consists of two prehistoric mounds, or barrows, built about 1,000 years apart. These monuments served as important ceremonial sites and community markers.
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This large burial mound, located in the Peak District, is thought to be a Neolithic oval barrow with an Early Bronze Age round barrow superimposed at one end. It is located about 300 meters southwest of Arbor Low henge – a short walk across the field.
Early Excavations of the Barrow
On January 2, 1848, local landowner and archaeologist Thomas Bateman led a team to excavate the lower, early Neolithic long barrow. They found cattle bones and flint tools, covered by small clay mounds containing wood and charcoal fragments. When their tunnel collapsed, a stone box, or ‘cist’, fell from above, containing burnt human bones and a decorated pot. This cist was part of the upper round barrow, dating from the early Bronze Age.
Thomas Bateman’s Contributions
Thomas Bateman, known as “The Barrow Knight,” excavated over 100 prehistoric barrows in the Peak District. He found a jet, shale, and bone necklace in a barrow about 300 meters northeast of Arbor Low, accompanying an early Bronze Age burial of a woman and child. A watercolour by Bateman shows his workmen excavating a tunnel into the barrow in 1848. Bateman himself is depicted seated at the bottom right.
Historical Significance
The name Gib Hill may indicate its use as a gibbet, or hanging place, in medieval times. Arbor Low, nearby, derives from “Eorthburg Hlaw,” meaning earthwork hill or mound.
Recent Discoveries
Recent re-examination and DNA analysis of Bateman’s discoveries have provided more insights into social ties and the movement of people and artifacts in the Bronze Age.
Visiting Arbor Low:
- There’s a small entrance fee of £1 per adult to visit Arbor Low. Children enter for free.
- An honesty box is available for you to deposit your fee if there’s no one to collect it.
- Wear sturdy shoes suitable for walking across fields, as the site is located on private farmland. There may also be livestock grazing in the area.
Extending Your Trip:
Consider exploring the Bull Ring Henge, another fascinating Neolithic monument located nearby. This could be a great way to make a full day out of your trip.
Sources
Signs at the site itself
Wikipedia
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