Reasons for Designation
Cairnfields are concentrations of cairns sited in close proximity to one
another. They often consist largely of clearance cairns, built with stone
cleared from the surrounding landsurface to improve its use for agriculture,
and on occasion their distribution pattern can be seen to define field plots.
However, funerary cairns are also frequently incorporated, although without
excavation it may be impossible to determine which cairns contain burials.
Clearance cairns were constructed from the Neolithic period (from c.3400 BC),
although the majority of examples appear to be the result of field clearance
which began during the earlier Bronze Age and continued into the later Bronze
Age (2000-700 BC). The considerable longevity and variation in the size,
content and associations of cairnfields provide important information on the
development of land use and agricultural practices. Cairnfields also retain
information on the diversity of beliefs and social organisation during the
prehistoric period.
Details
The monument includes an extensive cairnfield covering the ridge of moorland
between Ladhill Gill and Bilsdale on the west flank of Wetherhouse Moor. In
all, some 270 features have been recorded including c.240 clearance cairns and
lengths of tumbled walling. The clearance cairns range from 1.5m to 6m in
diameter and stand between 0.2m and 0.7m high. Many of these are irregular in
size and some with hollow centres.
There is more than 580m of ruined walling interspersed amongst the cairns;
this is particularly concentrated in the south east corner of the site. The
walling is between 0.5m and 5m wide and generally lower than the surroundng
cairns, and lies in stretches from 6m to an exceptional 175m in length.
There are many similar examples of field systems on this area of the Hambleton
Hills. They provide evidence of territorial organisation marking the division
and exploitation of land for agricultural and social purposes.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
25528
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
