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 agglomerated enclosure containing six stone hut
circles lying on a north-facing slope overlooking Newleycombe Lake. The
enclosure is composed of two conjoined enclosures defined by partly faced
rubble walls. The interior of the northern enclosure is almost circular in
plan, measures 49m north to south by 51m east to west and is defined by a 1m
wide and 0.5m high rubble wall. Three stone hut circles lie within this
enclosure and a further two are attached to the inner face of the boundary.
The southern enclosure is more recent in date than the northern example,
measures 26m north to south by 33m east to west and is defined by a low rubble
wall, which in places only just protrudes above the turf level. A stone hut
circle is linked to this enclosure boundary.
The stone hut circles are composed of stone and earth banks each surrounding
an internal area. All six huts are circular in plan, and their internal
diameters vary between 2.7m and 4.2m, with the average being 3.35m. The height
of the surrounding walls varies between 0.3m and 0.7m, with the average being
0.45m. One hut has a visible doorway.
An enclosed settlement lying a short distance to the north east of this
monument is the subject of a separate scheduling.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
24124
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
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
