Iron Age beehive hut 380m SSW of Bosporthennis Farm Cottage

Reasons for Designation

Despite later remodelling and re-use as an animal shelter, and perhaps in part because of it, the Iron Age beehive hut 380m SSW of Bosporthennis Farm Cottage is an extremely rare and important survival. The corbelled walls are well built and solid, of similar construction to the courtyard houses and fogous of West Penwith which attests to its origins in the Iron Age. It probably represents one of the best preserved prehistoric huts in the region and as such its importance cannot be understated. It will contain archaeological and environmental evidence relating to its construction, use, re-use, agricultural and domestic activities and overall landscape context.

Details

The monument includes an Iron Age beehive hut situated on the lower eastern slopes of the prominent ridge called Hannibal's Carn. The beehive hut survives as a circular corbelled chamber approximately 4m in diameter defined by a neatly constructed wall of granite blocks standing up to 2.5m high and connected to a rectangular chamber measuring 3.5m long by 2m wide internally. There are four entrances: one on the north west may be original; one to the east, now blocked, may be secondary; one to the south east inter-connects the two chambers; and the final south western one is much later. The floor of the beehive hut is paved and there is a square cupboard like recess in one wall. The beehive hut is situated in the corner of a field and field boundaries connect to it. Antiquarians debated and recorded this structure. Blight suggested it was once part of a larger group of buildings and only survived because it had been re-used as an animal shelter. Hirst and Christie suggested it was an above ground fogou, although Clarke remained doubtful. There are several courtyard house settlements in the immediate vicinity and a prehistoric field system. The settlements are scheduled separately.

Sources: HER:- PastScape Monument No:-423621

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

CO 47

Legacy System:

RSM - OCN

End of official list entry

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