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.
Details
The monument includes the remains of a substantial round cairn of prehistoric
date situated on the summit of Shillhope Law. The cairn, composed of loose
angular stones, measures 16m east-west by 20m north-south and stands to a
maximum height of 1m. There is an Ordnance Survey triangulation pillar on the
top of the cairn, surrounded by a modern cairn of stones and a stone wall.
The surrounding stone wall is excluded from the scheduling, although the
ground beneath it is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
25053
Legacy System:
RSM
End of official list entry
