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 and a substantial proportion of surviving examples are considered
worthy of protection. The monument is a rare survival in Cumbria of an undisturbed example of this
class of monument and will contain undisturbed archaeological deposits within
the mound and upon the old landsurface beneath. It lies within an area of open
fell rich in prehistoric monuments, and is situated upon an alignment of
funerary monuments stretching for over 1.5km along the natural communication
route over a col between Lowther and Ullswater valleys. It thus indicates the
importance of this area in prehistoric times and will contribute to the study
of the ceremonial function of cairns and other spatially associated monuments
in the area.
Details
The monument is a round cairn located on Askham Fell 515m south east of White
Raise round cairn. It includes a partly turf-covered oval mound of stones up
to 0.25m high with maximum dimensions of 3.8m by 2.8m. MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.
It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features,
considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
22529
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals Quartermaine, J, Askham Fell Survey Catalogue, (1992), 23-4 Quartermaine, J, Askham Fell Survey Catalogue, (1992), 21Other Darvill, T, MPP Single Monument Class Descriptions - Bowl Barrows (1988), (1988)
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.
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