Hut circle with associated field system 300yds (270m) NW of Polcoverack

Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places

Overview

Heritage Category:: Scheduled Monument
List Entry Number:: 1004327
Date first listed:: 18-Mar-1970

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Scheduled Monument
List Entry Number:: 1004327
Date first listed:: 18-Mar-1970

Location

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

District:: Cornwall (Unitary Authority)
Parish:: St. Keverne
National Grid Reference:: SW 77376 18773

Summary

Stone hut circle settlement and part of an associated field system 200m north west of Polcoverack Vean.

Reasons for Designation

Stone hut circles and hut circle settlements were the dwelling places of prehistoric farmers. Most date from the Bronze Age (c.2000-700 BC). The stone- based round-houses consist of low walls or banks enclosing a circular floor area; the remains of the turf, thatch or heather roofs are not preserved. The huts may occur singly or in small or large groups and may lie in the open or be enclosed by a bank of earth or stone. Frequently traces of their associated field systems may be found immediately around them. These may be indicated by areas of clearance cairns and/or the remains of field walls and other enclosures. The longevity of use of hut circle settlements and their relationship with other monument types provides important information on the diversity of social organisation and farming practices amongst prehistoric communities. They are particularly representative of their period. Despite some scrub growth and limited animal burrowing, the stone hut circle settlement and part of an associated field system 200m north west of Polcoverack Vean survives well and will contain archaeological and environmental evidence relating to its construction, development, longevity, agricultural practices, function, domestic arrangements and overall landscape context.

History

See Details.

Details

This record was the subject of a minor enhancement on 8 December 2015. This record has been generated from an "old county number" (OCN) scheduling record. These are monuments that were not reviewed under the Monuments Protection Programme and are some of our oldest designation records.

This monument includes a stone hut circle settlement and part of an associated field system situated on the western edge of Crousa Downs with coastal views over Dolor Point. The settlement survives as four stone hut circles linked by walls which form part of a contemporary field system. The hut circles are defined by rubble built walls of up to 0.5m high and range in diameter internally from 8m up to 10m. Where entrances are visible they face to the south east and at least one has an annexe at the entrance. The huts are incorporated into the walling of a field system of small rectangular fields which extends to the north east.

Further archaeological remains in the vicinity are not included in the scheduling because they have not been formally assessed.

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:: CO 683
Legacy System:: RSM - OCN

Sources

Other
PastScape Monument No:-426497

Legal

This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.