Reasons for Designation
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. In some cases the cairn was surrounded by a ditch.
Often occupying prominent locations, cairns are a major visual element in the
modern landscape. They are a relatively common feature of the uplands and are
the stone equivalent of the earthen round barrows of the lowlands. 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
worthy of protection.
Details
The monument includes the remains of a round cairn of Bronze Age date situated
on a high north east-south west ridge with an open aspect to the west. The
cairn is visible as the disturbed remains of a stone and earth mound measuring
13m in diameter and standing to a maximum height of 1.5m. Several hollows in
the surface of the cairn represent the remains of 19th century part
excavations. The cairn is thought to have been investigated in 1884 by G R
Hall, the vicar of Birtley when it was known as Dan's Cairn. The cairn is
situated in an area which was occupied intensively during the medieval period
and the agricultural and settlement remains also visible are considered to
belong to this period and are not contemporary with the cairn.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
25168
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals 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
