Hades Hill, near Rochdale

 Hades Hill: An Ancient Burial Site Near Rochdale, Greater Manchester

Location: Wardle, near Rochdale, Greater Manchester
Grid Reference: SD 909 202
Access: Grade 4/5
Elevation: 420 meters above sea level

Overview: Hades Hill, located near Rochdale in Greater Manchester, is a significant archaeological site known for its ancient burial mound, categorized as a round barrow. Situated at an elevation of 420 meters above sea level, this site offers a glimpse into prehistoric burial practices in the area.

The remains of the burial mound were extensively surveyed in 1898, revealing important details about its construction and contents. The mound's dimensions are approximately 15.3 meters north to south and 13.7 meters east to west, with a raised section that stands 0.75 meters above the ground. The geological composition of the mound includes sandy shale, flag-type sandstone, black shale, and elements of coal. Over time, peat has built up over the original floor of the mound, which was around 0.76 meters beneath the surface. During excavation, ancient vegetation, including grass and brushwood, was uncovered, providing clues about the site’s past environment, which differs greatly from the current surface vegetation.

The Stone Circle and Burial Discovery:

A stone circle is believed to have once marked the outer boundary of the mound, constructed using local sandstone and gritstone. The most intriguing find at the site was the discovery of a two-tiered urn located near the center of the circle. This urn, with a diameter of 40.6 cm, was found upright in its original position and was adorned with distinctive chevron markings.

The urn contained cremated remains of a female and several accompanying artifacts. Among the items discovered were a barbed arrowhead, a flint scraper, a finely pointed borer, animal bones, and charcoal. This burial likely represents a ritualistic and significant burial practice, with the urn and its contents now housed in the Touchstones Museum in Rochdale for further study and preservation.

Possible Causes for Deformation:

Taken in 2007

Taken in 2007

Over the centuries, the mound has suffered some deformation, possibly due to earth movements and gradual shifts in the subsoil. Nearby depressions, once thought to be related to late medieval coal mining, may in fact be remnants of Bronze Age pit dwellings. This suggests that Hades Hill was not only a burial site but potentially part of a larger prehistoric settlement, shedding light on the way Bronze Age communities lived and interacted with their environment.

Hades Hill’s Name and Historical Context:

The name Hades Hill is particularly evocative, meaning ‘hill of the dead’, which is fitting given its association with an ancient burial site.