Henge monument 300m north of Nunwick

Reasons for Designation

Henges are ritual or ceremonial centres which date to the Late Neolithic period (2800-2000 BC). They were constructed as roughly circular or oval- shaped enclosures comprising a flat area over 20m in diameter enclosed by a ditch and external bank. One, two or four entrances provided access to the interior of the monument, which may have contained a variety of features including timber or stone circles, post or stone alignments, pits, burials or central mounds. Finds from the ditches and interiors of henges provide important evidence for the chronological development of the sites, the types of activity that occurred within them and the nature of the environment in which they were constructed. Henges occur throughout England with the exception of south-eastern counties and the Welsh Marches. They are generally situated on low ground, often close to springs and water-courses. Henges are rare nationally with about 80 known examples. As one of the few types of identified Neolithic structures and in view of their comparative rarity, all henges are considered to be of national importance.

Although reduced by agricultural activity, this monument still retains a slight enclosing bank and further features can be clearly seen on aerial photographs. Significant information about the form and function of the monument will be preserved within the bank and ditch. As part of a wider group of monuments this site will provide important insights into the study of a ritual landscape in the prehistoric period.

Details

The monument includes a henge monument lying on a gravel terrace north of the River Ure in the Vale of Mowbray. The monument comprises a subcircular enclosure surrounded by a bank and internal ditch with two opposing entrances on the northern and southern sides. The bank is much reduced, but still visible in places as a slight earthwork. The internal diameter of the enclosure ranges from 97m to 100m and the external diameter from 200m to 210m. The bank is up to 18m wide with entrances 15m wide on the northern side and 8m wide on the southern side. Excavations in 1961 revealed the ditch to be 13.7m wide and 1.8m deep. The monument is one of a series of henge monuments located in the Vale of Mowbray. These henges are also associated with other contemporary monuments and groups of later round barrows. The study of these monuments provides important information about their form, nature and function within a wider ritual landscape.

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:

25585

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Harding, A, Lee, G E, Henge Monuments and Related Sites in Great Britain in Henge Monuments and Related Sites in Great Britain, Vol. BAR 175, (1987), 313

Other
Manby T G, The Lowlands and eastern Foothills, 1993,
CUCAP CKD 15; BTY 21,

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