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 provide 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. Stone hut circles and hut settlements
were the dwelling places of prehistoric farmers on Dartmoor. They mostly date
from the Bronze Age, with the earliest examples on the Moor in this building
tradition dating to about 1700 BC. The stone-based round houses consist of low
walls or banks enclosing a circular floor area; remains of the turf or thatch
roof are not preserved. The huts may occur singly or in small or large groups
and may lie in the open or be enclosed by a bank of earth and stone. Although
they are common on the Moor, their longevity and their relationship with other
monument types provide important information on the diversity of social
organisation and farming practices amongst prehistoric communities. They are
particularly representative of their period and a substantial proportion of
surviving examples are considered worthy of protection.
Details
This monument includes an enclosure and three stone hut circles forming an
outlying part of a large partly enclosed stone hut circle settlement situated
on the gentle west facing slope of Over Tor overlooking the valley of the
River Walkham. The enclosure is sub circular in shape, measures 38m long by
32m wide and is defined by a 1.8m wide and 0.5m high orthostatic wall faced
by slabs on both sides and infilled with rubble. The enclosure wall links
three stone hut circles which appear to predate the enclosure. The stone hut
circles are composed of stone and earth banks each surrounding a circular
internal area. The interior of the northern hut measures 4.2m diameter and the
surrounding wall is 1.7m wide and 0.5m high. A south facing gap in the wall,
lined by slabs on both sides represents a doorway. The western hut survives as
a 1.7m wide and 0.8m high wall surrounding an 8.4m diameter internal area. A
south facing stone lined gap in this wall represents a doorway. The interior
of the eastern hut measures 3.8m in diameter and the surrounding 1m wide wall
stands up to 0.4m high.
Further stone hut circles and enclosures within the vicinity of this
monument are the subject of other schedulings.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
24201
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
