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. Stone hut circles and hut settlements
were the dwelling places of prehistoric farmers on Dartmoor. They mostly date
from the Bronze Age, with the earliest examples on the Moor in this building
tradition dating to about 1700 BC. The stone-based round houses consist of low
walls or banks enclosing a circular floor area; remains of the turf or thatch
roof 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 and stone. Although
they are common on the Moor, their longevity and their relationship with other
monument types 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 enclosed stone hut circle settlement situated on the
south-east slope of Conies Down Tor on a terrace close to the River Cowsic.
Six stone hut circles are associated with two sub-oval enclosures. The
interior of the northern enclosure measures 65m long by 48m wide and is
defined by a low rubble wall standing up to 0.3m high and 0.8m wide. An
entrance survives in the northern length of the wall. A stone hut circle lies
within this enclosure and two others are attached to the southern wall. The
interior of the southern enclosure measures 62m long by 50m wide and is also
defined by a low rubble wall. This enclosure is subdivided by a boulder wall
into two main compartments. A stone hut circle lies within the enclosure,
another is attached to the southern wall and another lies immediately outside
the western wall.
The stone hut circles are all circular in plan and measure between 2.2m and
4.8m in diameter. The walls of all the huts are composed of stone and earth
and measure between 0.4m and 0.7m high. Two of the huts are freestanding and
the remainder are attached to the enclosure of boundary walls.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
22223
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
