Ring cairn and adjacent round cairn on Low Moor, 460m NNW of High Eskeleth

Reasons for Designation

A ring cairn is a prehistoric ritual monument comprising a circular bank of stones up to 20m in diameter surrounding a hollow central area. The bank may be kerbed on the inside, and sometimes on the outside as well, with small uprights or laid boulders. Ring cairns are found mainly in upland areas of England and are mostly discovered and authenticated by fieldwork and ground level survey, although a few are large enough to be visible on aerial photographs. They often occur in pairs or small groups of up to four examples. Occasionally they lie within round barrow cemeteries. Ring cairns are interpreted as ritual monuments of Early and Middle Bronze Age date. The exact nature of the rituals concerned is not fully understood, but excavation has revealed pits, some containing burials and others containing charcoal and pottery, taken to indicate feasting activities associated with the burial rituals. Many areas of upland have not yet been surveyed in detail and the number of ring cairns in England is not accurately known. However, available evidence indicates a population of between 250 and 500 examples. As a relatively rare class of monument exhibiting considerable variation in form, all positively identified examples retaining significant archaeological deposits are considered worthy of preservation.

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. 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 to be worthy of protection. Both the round cairn and adjacent ring cairn on Low Moor, 460m NNW of High Eskeleth remain largely well preserved, containing further archaeological remains. Therefore information on the relationship between the two sites will be preserved.

Details

The monument includes two adjacent cairns situated on a south facing slope overlooking the lower reaches of Arkengarthdale. The ring cairn includes a circular stone built bank, well defined on the north and east sides but worn away on the south west side. The bank has a width of 3m and maximum height of 0.3m. It is partially turf covered but largely consists of exposed stones. The monument has a diameter of 10.5m. A small round cairn 6.8m in diameter is situated 3m north east of the ring cairn. It includes a mound of exposed stones 0.6m high with turf covered areas around the edges.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract. It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features, considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

24540

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
Laurie, T, (1993)
Laurie, T, (1993)

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