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 Towerbrea round cairn. It is located in a prominent
situation on the fellside from where there are extensive views particularly to
the north, west and south. It includes a turf covered circular mound of stones
measuring 32m in diameter and up to 2.5m high on the downslope western side
and 1m high on the upslope eastern side. The surface of the cairn displays
numerous undulations which indicate small scale stone robbing or quarrying. On
the northern edge of the monument's summit there is a modern flat topped stone
memorial cairn.
The memorial cairn is excluded from the scheduling but the ground beneath it
is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
27758
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
