Two adjacent ring cairns on Low Moor, 310m north west 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.

The two ring cairns on Low Moor, 310m north west of High Eskeleth survive reasonably well, containing further archaeological remains; information on their relationship will be preserved.

Details

The monument includes two adjacent ring cairns are situated on a south west facing slope overlooking the lower reaches of Arkengarthdale. The larger of the two has a diameter of 11.5m. It includes a well defined circular bank 2m wide and up to 0.3m high consisting of loose exposed stones. The second ring cairn is situated 2m to the south west of the first on a gentle slope. It includes a circular bank, less clearly visible than the adjacent monument but still well defined in the form of a ring of loose stones up to 0.3m high and with a overall diameter of 10.5m.

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:

24541

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

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

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