Enclosure east of an agglomerated enclosure south-east of Yealm Steps

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 provides 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.

Within the landscape of Dartmoor there are many discrete plots of land enclosed by stone walls or banks of stone and earth, most of which date to the Bronze Age (c.2500-1000 BC), though earlier and later examples also exist. They were constructed as stock pens or as protected areas for crop growing and were sometimes subdivided to accommodate stock and hut circle dwellings for farmers and herdsmen. The size and form of enclosures may therefore vary considerably depending on their particular function. Their variation in form, longevity and relationship to other monument classes provide important information on the diversity of social organisation and farming practices amongst prehistoric communities. They are particularly representative of their period and a substantial proportion of surviving examples are considered worthy of protection.

This enclosure lies close to other enclosures and several hut circles which form a concentration of occupation evidence north of the confluence of Ranny Brook and the River Yealm.

Details

This enclosure lies on a south facing slope some 200m east of an agglomerated enclosure, which lies south-east of Yealm Steps and north of Ranny Brook. It consists of a bank of stone and earth 0.5m in width and 0.4m in height, encompassing an oval area 18m by 16m in length and breadth. This enclosure is near a concentration of enclosures and hut circles north of the confluence of Ranny Brook and the River Yealm.

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.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

10853

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
SX66SW, (1991)

End of official list entry

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