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. The
enclosure north of Scad Brook 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 to 500 BC), though earlier and later ones exist.
This sub-circular enclosure lies immediately on the northern bank of the
Scad Brook and is approximately 1.25 ha in area; its earth and stone bank is
continuous except on the southern side, along the brook bank. The enclosure
contains eleven hut circles ranging from 3.5 m. to 10 m. in diameter, with
entrances facing south-east and many of the walls standing up to a metre
high. The most complete hut has been excavated and re-instated with walls
faced with orthostats and an entrance with jambs.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
10553
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
