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 remains, gives significant insights
into successive changes in the pattern of land use through time.
This cross stands at the intersection of three routes and is closely
associated with prominent prehistoric monuments, indicating the continuity
of importance of the site through many centuries. Spurrell's Cross is the
only example of a cross with spurred limbs on Dartmoor, a style dating to
the 15th century AD.
Details
Wayside crosses mark significant points or intersections along the routes
which cross Dartmoor, though the crosses are of medieval or later date it is
likely that some mark the sites of standing stones or markers associated
with much earlier use of the trackways.
Spurrell's Cross stands on the Blackwood Path close to the intersection of
the Owley-Harford track and the Wrangaton-Erme Plains track. It is a granite
cross 1.37m high, with a restored shaft and head of a different granite
with spurred limbs. The head is set north/south and the northern arm is
missing.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
10551
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
