Reasons for Designation
Round cairn cemeteries date to the Bronze Age. They comprise groups of cairns
sited in close proximity to one another and take the form of stone mounds
constructed to cover single or multiple burials. Contemporary or later `flat'
graves may lie between individual cairns. Most cemeteries developed over a
considerable period of time and they can exhibit considerable diversity of
burial rite, plan and form. Occasionally they are associated with earlier long
cairns. They may also be associated with clearance cairns - heaps of stones
cleared from the adjacent ground surface to improve its quality for
agricultural activities; these were also being constructed during the Bronze
Age, although some examples are of later date. It may be impossible without
excavation to distinguish between some burial and clearance cairns. Round
cairn cemeteries occur throughout most of upland Britain; their distribution
pattern complements that of contemporary lowland earthen round barrows. Often
occupying prominent locations they are a major historic element in the modern
landscape. Their diversity and longevity as a monument type provide important
information on the variety of beliefs and social organisation amongst early
prehistoric communities. They are particularly representative of their period
and a substantial proportion of surviving or partly-surviving examples are
considered worthy of preservation.
Details
The monument includes a discrete group of six cairns situated on a south-
facing slope below the crest of a ridge. The cairns are visible as low grassy
mounds measuring between 0.3m and 0.5m across and between 0.2m to 0.7m in
height. One cairn, more substantial than the others, is irregularly shaped and
measures 11.5m east to west by 8.0m and stands 0.7m high. This cairn was
excavated in 1935 revealing it to be surrounded by a stone kerb and containing
an entrance passage of large stones. A flint implement was uncovered on the
natural soil beneath the cairn. Historic accounts suggest that there were
formerly more round cairns but some were destroyed for road metal earlier this
century.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
20933
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
