Cairn 1250m north-east of Cartington Castle

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 limited stone robbing, this cairn is very well preserved and largely intact. Significant archaeological deposits are undisturbed and contain valuable evidence relating to the construction of the cairn and the nature and duration of its use. Additionally, it is one of a group of large Prehistoric burial cairns located prominently on the summits of hills in Coquetdale and it will contribute to our understanding of Prehistoric settlement and activity in the area.

Details

The monument includes a large cairn of Bronze Age date situated on the edge of a scarp on Cartington Hill. It commands extensive views in all directions and is a prominent landmark. The heather covered cairn is very well preserved and measures 14m in diameter and survives to a height of 1.3m. Traces of a kerb are visible around the northern periphery where the cairn is best preserved. A hole at the centre of the mound has been produced by stone robbing.

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:

20898

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Dixon, D D, Upper Coquetdale, (1903)

Other
No. 2275,

End of official list entry

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