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 provides
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 monuments,
gives significant insights into successive changes in the pattern of land
use through time.
This enclosure below Gutter Tor is a well-preserved example and with
other settlement sites, ceremonial monuments and Eylesbarrow Reave in the
vicinity, provides important insight into occupation and farming practices
on the Moor during the Prehistoric period.
Details
The Dartmoor landscape includes many discrete plots of land enclosed by
stone walls or earth and stone banks, which acted as stock pens or protected
areas for crop growing. Some of them were subdivided to accommodate hut
dwellings for farmers and herdsmen. Many examples date from the Bronze Age
(c.2500-500 BC), though earlier and later ones also exist.
This enclosure lies on the northern slope of Gutter Tor within 100m of
Eylesbarrow Reave and a cairn with a cist. It is sub-rectangular in shape
and measures 11m by 10m the bank of earth and stone is up to 0.5m in height
and 1m in width. There are possible entrances in the north-west and north-
east corners and a small pen, 3m across, attached to the inner face of the
west wall just south of the entrance.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
10630
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
