Reasons for Designation
Bodmin Moor, the largest of the Cornish granite uplands, has long been
recognised to have exceptional preservation of archaeological remains. The
Moor has been the subject of detailed archaeological survey and is one of the
best recorded upland landscapes in England. The extensive relict landscapes of
prehistoric, medieval and post-medieval date provide direct evidence for human
exploitation of the Moor from the earliest prehistoric period onwards. The
well-preserved and often visible relationship between settlement sites, field
systems, ceremonial and funerary monuments as well as later industrial remains
provides significant insights into successive changes in the pattern of land
use through time. Stone hut circles were the dwelling places of prehistoric
farmers on the Moor, mostly dating from the Bronze Age (c.2000-700 BC). The
stone-based round houses survive as low walls or banks enclosing a circular
floor area; remains of a turf or thatch roof are not preserved. The huts occur
singly or in small or large groups and may occur in the open or be enclosed by
a bank of earth and stone. Although they are common on the Moor, their
longevity of use and their relationship with other monument types provides
important information on the diversity of social organisation and farming
practices among prehistoric communities. They are particularly representative
of their period and a substantial proportion of surviving examples are
considered worthy of protection.
This cluster of three hut circles in the Withey Brook valley has survived well
with no evident or recorded disturbance. These hut circles are rare survivals
in a valley floor location and their proximity to a small hut circle
settlement demonstrates well the nature of settlement in this topographical
position during the Bronze Age.
Details
The monument includes a cluster of three stone hut circles situated near a
small hut circle settlement at the southern edge of the Withey Brook valley
floor, north of Trewortha Tor on eastern Bodmin Moor.
The three hut circles survive with circular walls of heaped rubble, up to 1.5m
wide and 1m high, around levelled internal areas ranging from 4m to 8m in
diameter. The walling of two hut circles has edge-set inner facing slabs.
All three have entrance gaps, variously facing north, north-east and west.
The hut circles are arranged as a triangular cluster, separated by 1-3m gaps,
with two on an east-west axis and the third to their north. The largest hut
circle, at the SW of the cluster, has a concentric annexe, 3.5m wide, built
around its SSE half and defined by a rubble wall of similar size and
construction as the hut circle wall. The annexe wall returns to join the hut
circle wall at its SW end, but at the east it joins the wall of the SE hut
circle in the cluster.
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.
