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.
Details
This monument includes a cairn of Bronze Age date situated on a north facing
slope, now in an area of afforestation. The mound, constructed of large
stones, measures 10m in diameter and survives to a height of 1m. At the
centre of the cairn there is a large hole measuring 4m in diameter, the result
of partial excavation in 1889. The remains of two stone cists are clearly
visible at the centre. When the cairn was partially excavated one of the
cists contained the remains of cremated bones; the other was apparently empty.
Several Bronze Age pots were also discovered, one of which contained burnt
bone and ash and a flint tool.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
20895
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals
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
