Reasons for Designation
Stone alignments or stone rows consist of upright stones set in a single line,
or in two or more parallel lines, up to several hundred metres in length. They
are often sited close to prehistoric burial monuments, such as small cairns
and cists, and to ritual monuments, such as stone circles, and are therefore
considered to have had an important ceremonial function. Stone alignments were
being constructed and used from the Late Neolithic period to the Middle Bronze
Age (c.2500-1000 BC) and provide rare evidence of ceremonial and ritual
practices during these periods. Due to their rarity and longevity as a
monument type, all examples that are not extensively damaged will be
considered worthy of protection.
Details
The monument is a stone alignment, known locally as The Five Kings, situated
on south-east sloping moorland, beneath a craggy outcrop. The alignment
includes four substantial stones situated in a slight arc from south-west to
north-east. The stones are located 4m, 7m and 6m apart and are 2m, 1.3m, 1.6m
and 2.2m high. A fifth stone which completed the alignment was situated 7m
beyond the fourth but was removed earlier this century; the site of this stone
is also included in the scheduling. Local tradition says that the five stones
represent five brothers who owned adjacent areas of land.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
20954
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
