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. Despite minor surface disturbance to the top of the monument, the round cairn
285m south east of White Raise round cairn survives reasonably well and will
contain undisturbed archaeological deposits within the mound and upon the old
landsurface beneath. The cairn 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 the diversity of monument types to be found
here. The monument 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 285m south east of White
Raise round cairn. It includes a slightly oval mound of partly turf-covered
stones up to 0.3m high with maximum dimensions of 3.1m by 2.8m. There is a
shallow central depression on the cairn's summit. 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:
22525
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals Quartermaine, J, Askham Fell Survey Catalogue, (1992), 22 Quartermaine, J, Askham Fell Survey Catalogue, (1992), 23-4
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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