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 provide 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 enclosure is a well-preserved example with hut circles. It provides
important insight into 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 to the Bronze Age (c.2500-500
BC), though earlier and later ones also exist.
This enclosure lies on a south-west facing slope above the River Plym, south
of Lower Hartor Tor. It is sub-oval in shape and measures c.110m by 84m and
is defined by a bank of large stones and earth up to 2m in width and 1m in
height. There is a possible entrance to the north-east. There are three huts
within the enclosure, ranging from 8m to 10m in diameter, with walls 2m in
thickness and up to 0.5m in height, faced on the inner side. Entrances in the
walls face south or east. A cairn lies outside the enclosure to the south-
west.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
10686
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
