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 is a round cairn known as Maiden Castle. It is located on a local
high point a short distance east of the track linking Eskdale and Wasdale and
lies at the northern end of a large area of open moorland known as Burnmoor
which contains an abundance of prehistoric remains. The cairn includes a
circular turf-covered mound of stones measuring 12m in diameter and up to 0.4m
high. It is topped by the tumbled drystone wall of a circular sheepfold
measuring approximately 7m in diameter. Local tradition states that the site
once functioned as one of a chain of beacons linking Cockermouth and Millom,
and small pieces of charcoal possibly associated with beacon fires have been
found at the north and centre of the sheepfold.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
23693
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
