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,
major 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. Round cairns are prehistoric funerary
monuments dating to the Bronze Age (c.2000-700 BC). They were constructed as
earthen or rubble mounds, the latter predominating in areas of upland Britain
where such raw materials were locally available in abundance. Round cairns may
cover single or multiple burials and are sometimes surrounded by an outer
ditch. Often occupying prominent locations, they are a major visual element in
the modern landscape. Their considerable variation in form and 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. Dartmoor provides one
of the best preserved and most dense concentrations of round cairns in south-
western Britain.
Details
This monument includes a round cairn and a small shelter situated on a
natural shelf immediately below the summit of Yes Tor which overlooks much of
North Devon. The cairn mound measures 29m in diameter and stands up to 2m
high. This cairn has been the subject of a partial excavation which has left
two distinctive features. The first is a large hollow in the centre of the
mound, which measures 7m long, 6m wide and 1.5m deep, and in which many large
rocks are exposed. The second is a 14m long, 3m wide and 0.7m deep trench
which leads to the central hollow from the northern edge of the cairn. Many of
the stones forming banks around these hollows probably represent material
upcast during the course of the undocumented antiquarian exploration. A small
shelter of unknown date lies 4m south of the cairn. The interior of this
structure is oval in shape, measures 2m long by 1.5m wide and is surrounded by
a 1.1m wide and 0.4m high rubble wall. A gap in the north eastern wall
probably represents a doorway.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
24161
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
