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
The monument is a round cairn located 320m north-north-west of Seal Howe on an
escarpment of Carboniferous Limestone. It includes a slightly oval mound of
limestone stones and earth up to 1.4m high with maximum dimensions of 14m by
13m. Limited antiquarian investigation of the monument's centre located the
primary burial of an unburnt male on the old landsurface and, a short distance
to the south, a secondary burial consisting of an urn containing the cremated
remains of a woman and child. A few ox bones were also found.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
22452
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
