Round cairn and kerbed cairn 300m north east of Blackrock Farm

Reasons for Designation

Round cairns are prehistoric funerary monuments dating to the Bronze Age (c.2000-700 BC). They were constructed as stone mounds covering single or multiple burials. These burials may be placed within the mound in stone-lined compartments called cists. In some cases the cairn was surrounded by a ditch. Often occupying prominent locations, cairns are a major visual element in the modern landscape. They are a relatively common feature of the uplands and are the stone equivalent of the earthen round barrows of the lowlands. Their considerable variation in form and longevity as a monument type provide important information on the diversity of beliefs and social organisation amongst early prehistoric communities. They are particularly representative of their period.

Kerbed cairns are prehistoric funerary monuments also dating to the Bronze Age. They were constructed as stone mounds defined by an outer kerb of upright stones or walling covering single or multiple burials. These burials may be placed within the mound in stone-lined compartments called cists. In some cases the cairn was surrounded by a ditch. Often occupying prominent locations, kerbed cairns are a major visual element in the modern landscape. They are a relatively common feature of the uplands and are the stone equivalent of the earthen round barrows of the lowlands. Their considerable variation in form and longevity as a monument type provide important information on the diversity of beliefs and social organisation amongst early prehistoric communities. They too are particularly representative of their period. Despite partial early excavation or robbing, the round cairn and kerbed cairn 300m north east of Blackrock Farm survive comparatively well and will contain archaeological and environmental evidence relating to their construction, relative chronologies, territorial significance, social organisation, ritual and funerary practices and overall landscape context.

Details

The monument includes a round cairn and kerbed cairn, situated on the summit of a prominent hill called Crowan Beacon. The northern round cairn incorporates a natural rock outcrop and survives as a circular stony mound measuring approximately 30m in diameter and up to 3m high. An Ordnance Survey triangulation pillar has been erected on the cairn. This is excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath is included.

The southern kerbed cairn survives as a circular stony mound of up to 20m in diameter. It is defined by a partially-visible kerb of stones laid in courses and standing up to 0.5m high which is particularly evident to the south. Elsewhere the cairn survives differentially as a result of stone robbing or early partial excavation.

The cairns were first recorded by Thomas in 1851.

Sources: HER:- PastScape Monument No:-425672

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

CO 975

Legacy System:

RSM - OCN

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