Cairn on the summit of Arndale Hill, Hope Moor

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.

Although this cairn has been disturbed, it retains evidence of its form and location, and buried archaeological remains will survive below ground. It will therefore contribute to our knowledge of prehistoric burial practice. It is also unusual to find such burial sites at this height above sea level in County Durham. The majority of cairns are located at lower heights. It forms an important part of the prehistoric landscape of Hope Moor and the nearby Barningham Moor where numerous other sites survive including cairns, carved rocks, settlements and agricultural field systems. This site will therefore contribute to studies of prehistoric land use.

Details

The monument includes a cairn approximately 8m in diameter, and 0.3m high. It is situated on Hope Moor, on the summit of Arndale Hill. A tall modern stone cairn has been built in the centre of the prehistoric cairn, reusing much of the stone belonging to the original cairn. The remains of the prehistoric cairn are now largely grassed over.

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:

30492

Legacy System:

RSM

End of official list entry

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