Reasons for Designation
Dartmoor is the largest expanse of open moorland in southern Britain and,
because of exceptional conditions of preservation, it is also one of the most
complete examples of an upland relict landscape in the whole country. The
great wealth and diversity of archaeological remains provide direct evidence
for human exploitation of the Moor from the early prehistoric period onwards.
The well-preserved and often visible relationship between settlement sites,
major land boundaries, trackways, ceremonial and funerary monuments as well as
later industrial remains, gives significant insights into successive changes
in the pattern of land use through time. Within the landscape of Dartmoor
there are many discrete plots of land enclosed by stone walls or banks of
stone and earth, most of which date to the Bronze Age (c.2000-700 BC), though
earlier and later examples also exist. They were constructed as stock pens or
as protected areas for crop growing and were sometimes subdivided to
accommodate stock and hut circle dwellings for farmers and herdsmen. The size
and form of enclosures may therefore vary considerably depending on their
particular function. Their variation in form, longevity and relationship to
other monument classes provide important information on the diversity of
social organisation and farming practices amongst prehistoric communities.
They are particularly representative of their period and a substantial
proportion of surviving examples are considered worthy of protection.
Details
This monument includes an enclosure, two stone hut circles and an alignment of
upright stones situated on a gentle west-facing slope overlooking the River
Lyd. The interior of the enclosure measures 30m north to south by 31m east to
west and is defined by a rubble wall up to 1.8m wide and 0.8m high. One stone
hut circle lies within the northern part of the enclosure, whilst the other is
attached to a length of boundary wall leading ENE from the enclosure. Both
huts are composed of circular stone and earth walls, 1.1m wide and 0.4m high
surrounding an internal area measuring 4.2m in diameter.
The alignment of upright stones is orientated from ESE to WNW and includes a
55.5m long single row of four upright stones standing 0.6m high. The nearest
stone to the enclosure lies 32m ESE from the south eastern corner and the
orientation of the alignment follows on from that of the enclosure's southern
wall. The enclosure and alignment may be contemporary and the stones may
represent a marking out of a second enclosure which was never completed.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
22333
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals Other
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.
End of official list entry
