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,
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. Cairnfields are concentrations of three or
more cairns sited within close proximity to one another; they may consist of
burial cairns or cairns built with stone cleared from the land surface
(clearance cairns). Round funerary cairns were constructed during the Bronze
Age (c.2000-700 BC) and consisted of earthen or rubble mounds, sometimes
ditched, which covered single or multiple burials. Often occupying prominent
locations, they are a major visual element in the modern landscape. The
considerable variation in the size of cairnfields and their longevity as a
monument type provide important information on the diversity of beliefs and
social organisation amongst early 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 a cairn situated on the summit of Longstone Hill
forming part of a cairnfield, including at least 64 mounds, overlooking the
valleys of the Redaven Brook and West Okement River. Other cairns lie in the
immediate vicinity and these are covered by separate schedulings. The mound
is sub-circular in shape, measures 4.2m in diameter and stands up to 0.3m
high. A hollow in the centre of the mound suggests partial early excavation
or robbing. Many of the mounds within the cairnfield are crest sited and are
therefore clearly visible from long distances to the east and west. This
situation strongly suggests that many of the cairns probably contain burials,
although the size and shape of some mounds suggests that some may also be
associated with stone clearance connected with cultivation of the area.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
24179
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
