Cairn 900m north-east of Old Rothbury hillfort

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.

The cairn north east of Old Rothbury survives well and is a good example of its type. Its 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 Prehistoric monuments which survive on this area of moorland and will contribute to our understanding of Prehistoric settlement and activity in the area.

Details

The monument includes a cairn of Bronze Age date situated in a saddle on a ridge of moorland. It has extensive views over the Coquet valley to the south and west. The cairn is very well preserved and measures 8m in diameter and survives to over 1m high. The mound is mainly constructed of stone and earth, and traces of several large stones can be detected on the edge of the mound on the east and western sides.

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:

20889

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
No. 815,

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