Nab Head Barrow, Bollington, Cheshire

 Nab Head Barrow, Bollington, Cheshire: A Bronze Age Burial Mound

Source: Cheshire County Sites and Monuments Record Office

Situated atop Nab Head in Bollington, Cheshire, Nab Head Barrow is a prehistoric funerary round barrow dating back to around 2350 BC. The site offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the Cheshire Plain, the Berwyn and Clwydian Hills, south Manchester, Lancashire, and the foothills of the Pennines. A Trig Station marks the site, adding to its prominence.

Description and Original Structure

The original structure of Nab Head Barrow would have been an impressive monument, measuring approximately 19 metres by 17 metres in diameter and standing 1 metre high. Surrounding the barrow was a circular ditch with an estimated circumference of 25 metres and a depth of around 0.75 metres, which marked the boundaries of the burial mound.

Excavation and Damage

In 1960, excavation work at Nab Head Barrow revealed significant damage to the site, primarily caused by erosion and small-scale quarrying over the years. Additionally, it was discovered that the contents of the inner section of the barrow had been removed through a practice known as ‘Centre Robbing.’ This crude form of treasure hunting, which likely occurred during the 17th or 18th centuries, involved the removal of artefacts and human remains, further diminishing the site's original features.

Current Condition of the Barrow

Today, Nab Head Barrow remains relatively well-preserved despite the damage it has sustained. The central section of the barrow now consists of a crater approximately 0.75 metres deep, filled with loose stones and soil. The north-east section also displays similar indentations, approximately 0.60 metres deep, which are believed to be remnants of the original ditch. However, changes in land use and continued quarrying have altered the barrow's layout, leading to some loss of its original form.

Archaeological Significance

Nab Head Barrow is an important archaeological site that offers valuable insights into Bronze Age funerary practices. Although the site has been subject to damage over time, it remains an essential part of Cheshire’s prehistoric heritage. The barrow provides a glimpse into the burial customs of the period, with the artefacts and features once contained within the barrow shedding light on the early inhabitants of the region.

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