Simonside Cairn 670m west-north-west of Old Stell Crag

List Entry Summary

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.

Location

The monument may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

Legacy System Information

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

Asset Groupings

This list entry does not comprise part of an Asset Grouping. Asset Groupings are not part of the official record but are added later for information.

List entry Description

Summary of Monument

Legacy Record - This information may be included in the List Entry Details.

Reasons for Designation

Round cairns are prehistoric funerary monuments dating to the Bronze Age (c.2000-700 BC). They were constructed as stone mounds covering single or multiple burials. These burials may be placed within the mound in stone-lined compartments called cists. In some cases the cairn was surrounded by a ditch. Often occupying prominent locations, cairns are a major visual element in the modern landscape. They are a relatively common feature of the uplands and are the stone equivalent of the earthen round barrows of the lowlands. 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.

This cairn survives reasonably well and is a good example of its type. Much of the archaeological deposits are undisturbed and contain valuable evidence relating to the construction of the cairn and the nature and duration of its use. Additionally, it is one of a group of large prehistoric burial cairns located prominently on the summits of hills in Coquetdale and it will contribute to our understanding of prehistoric settlement and activity in the area.

History

Legacy Record - This information may be included in the List Entry Details.

Details

The monument includes a large cairn of Bronze Age date situated on the western summit of Simonside Hill overlooking the Coquet valley. It has been constructed on the edge of a rocky spur with extensive views in all directions and is a prominent landmark. It survives to a height in excess of 1m and has a diameter of 18m. The mound is constructed of large boulders; many of those on the surface have been re-arranged by walkers to form a modern marker cairn.

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.

Selected Sources

Other
No. 2319,

National Grid Reference: NZ 02410 98711

Map

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This copy shows the entry on 20-Apr-2018 at 02:01:38.