Summary : The Bull Ring, a Henge monument, extant as an earthwork, comprising a sub-oval enclosure defined by a ditch and external bank. The site has been damaged in the past by quarrying, while there are also traces of ridge and furrow in the interior. The maximum external diameter is circa 85 metres. The bank is circa 1.1 metres high and up to 9.8 metres wide. The ditch is up to 12.2 metres wide and 0.6 metres deep. There are two opposing causewayed entrances at the north and south. Excavation has occurred on three occasions - the bank was sectioned in 1902; some potsherds, possibly Beaker/Early Bronze Age were found. In 1949 several trenches across bank and ditch were dug, and some investigation of both entrances occurred. Two possible Beaker sherds were found, one apparently below the ditch silts. The ditch also contained flint flakes and scrapers plus some ox bones and teeth. In 1984-5 a large area outside the southern entrance was investigated. Only undated and post medieval features were found, although some flints were present. An 18th century source states that the enclosure once contained a stone setting. In 1789, apparently, only a single stone remained. |
More information : The Bull Ring, a Henge monument, extant as an earthwork, comprising a sub-oval enclosure defined by a ditch and external bank. The site has been damaged in the past by quarrying, while there are also traces of ridge and furrow in the interior. The maximum external diameter is circa 85 metres. The bank is circa 1.1 metres high and up to 9.8 metres wide. The ditch is up to 12.2 metres wide and 0.6 metres deep. There are two opposing causewayed entrances at the north and south. Excavation has occurred on three occasions - the bank was sectioned in 1902; some potsherds, possibly Beaker/Early Bronze Age were found. In 1949 several trenches across bank and ditch were dug, and some investigation of both entrances occurred. Two possible Beaker sherds were found, one apparently below the ditch silts. The ditch also contained flint flakes and scrapers plus some ox bones and teeth. In 1984-5 a large area outside the southern entrance was investigated. Only undated and post medieval features were found, although some flints were present. An 18th century source states that the enclosure once contained a stone setting. In 1789, apparently, only a single stone remained.
[SK 07847824] Bull Ring [T.I]; Henge [O.E]. (1)
The Bull Ring [SK] (078783) is of the `double-entrance' class of Henge Monument [see plan AO:62:290:7] No stone-holes were found, but it is known from an 18th century account (a) that the monument once had a stone setting. Excavated in March 1949 when the dating evidence was confined to two fragments of pottery probably related to Beaker fabric. To the south-west of the ring and about 240ft from its centre is a tumulus a little over 60ft square of uncertain age and purpose. Scheduled, Bull Ring and round barrow. (2-3) A class II henge monument. No stones are evident. Resurveyed at 1:2500. Barrow surveyed at 1:2500. (4) Excavations by the southern entrance in 1984-5 recovered only undated and post-medieval features,with re-deposited flints. A detailed survey of the henge was made to facilitate the monitoring of subsequent changes to the site. (5-6)
SK 0785 7823. Bull Ring henge, oval barrow and bowl barrow. This monument is situated on the north-western edge of the limestone plateau of Derbyshire and includes, within a single area, Bull Ring henge and the adjacent oval barrow. Also included is the bowl barrow superimposed on the western end of the oval barrow. Scheduled RSM no. 23282. (7)
(8-9)
The henge feature described above is visible as an earthwork on air photographs, centred at SK 0784 7824. The feature was mapped as part of the Derbyshire and Peak District Aggregates Assessment Survey and appears extant on the latest EARTH.GOOGLE.COM 2005 photography accessed 18-AUG-2009. (10) |