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.
Details
The monument includes a stone hut circle situated near other, broadly
contemporary, hut circles, cairns and field systems on the western edge of
Twelve Men's Moor on eastern Bodmin Moor.
The hut circle survives with a wall of heaped rubble, up to 0.6m high and 1.4m
wide, with occasional edge-set facing slabs. The wall defines a circular
levelled internal area, 5m in diameter, and has an entrance gap facing NW.
The hut circle's location, levelled into a short but steep slope descending to
the valley floor, has led to a considerable build-up of deposits against the
outer side of its wall, brought down under gravity and increased by
cultivation on the plateau above the slope. These accumulations mask the
wall's outer face almost completely along its NE half and give the levelled
interior the appearance of a depression in the slope.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
15140
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
