Blackstones Low stands at 295m above sea level, in a scrub landscape, on the geological border between the carboniferous and dolomotised limestones.
Well preserved the barrow enjoys, making allowances for the hideous Ballidon Quarry, some wonderous views over an ancient and historic landscape that includes Minninglow, the Roystone Valley, Black Rocks and the Longcliffe Crags; the location of Rains Cave.
Located on Open Access land the barrow is relatively easy to find although a parking spot close to the site is difficult. Although the barrow could quite easily be included in a trip to the Roystone Valley.
23m by 20m and standing some 2m high and dated to the Bronze Age.
Excavated by Thomas Bateman in 1849 whose finds included a limestone cist containing a crouched skeleton interred with a
flint implement. On the cist's capstone was a smaller limestone cist which contained a collared urn containing a cremation burial along with a flint tool and a pot shard.
Bateman discovered a further 3 more similar burials within the barrow itself. A 5th burial consisited of a skeleton which had been
skeleton which had been either burned/defleshed, the long bones being laid parallel to one another whilst still fresh.
Other cremated human remains were found within the barrow including one in an urn.
Log in |
Register
0 discussions
Show map (inline Google Map)
Add an image 
Posted by stubob
Top of page