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. Despite the fact that the round cairn 530m west of Stanley Cottages has been
partially excavated, it is reasonably well preserved and retains significant
archaeological deposits. Its location, immediately south of Hadrian's Wall,
will add to our understanding of the the prehistoric landscape through which
the Wall was later constructed.
Details
The monument includes a round cairn of Bronze Age date situated on the summit
of a low knoll. The cairn measures 8m in diameter and survives to a maximum
height of 0.4m. The round cairn was partially excavated in the 1920s by R C
Hedley who uncovered a stony mound with a covering of earth. 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:
28573
Legacy System:
RSM
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