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. Stone hut circles and hut settlements
were the dwelling places of prehistoric farmers on Dartmoor. They mostly date
from the Bronze Age, with the earliest examples on the Moor in this building
tradition dating to about 1700 BC. The stone-based round houses consist of low
walls or banks enclosing a circular floor area; remains of the turf or thatch
roof are not preserved. The huts may occur singly or in small or large groups
and may lie in the open or be enclosed by a bank of earth and stone. Although
they are common on the Moor, their longevity and their relationship with other
monument types 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.
Details
This monument includes two stone hut circles on a north west-south east
alignment, a linking length of boundary bank and a short length of the
Devonport Leat, situated on a gentle west-facing slope of Raddick Hill
overlooking the valley of the River Meavy.
The stone hut circles are composed of stone and earth banks surrounding an
internal area. The south eastern hut wall measures 1.4m wide and 0.5m high and
defines a 6.5m diameter internal area. This hut has seen limited damage as a
result of the Devonport Leat cutting through its centre. The Devonport Leat
extends from the Cowsic valley to Devonport and has carried domestic water to
the town since the late 18th century. The leat now carries water to the
Burrator reservoir. A 23m long, 1.5m wide and 0.3m high rubble boundary bank
leads WNW from the south eastern hut to the second building. The interior of
the north western hut measures 6.8m in diameter and is defined by a 1.8m wide
wall standing up to 0.5m high. A gap in the southern wall of this building
represents an original doorway.
The Devonport leat is included within the monument because of its close
association with the earlier archaeological deposits. An enclosure lies to
the south of this monument, the subject of a separate scheduling.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
22312
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
