Cairnfield 730m south east of Burntshield Haugh

Reasons for Designation

Cairnfields are concentrations of cairns sited in close proximity to one another. They often consist largely of clearance cairns, built with stone cleared from the surrounding landsurface to improve its use for agriculture, and on occasion their distribution pattern can be seen to define field plots. However, funerary cairns are also frequently incorporated, although without excavation it may be impossible to determine which cairns contain burials. Clearance cairns were constructed from the Neolithic period (from c.3400 BC), although the majority of examples appear to be the result of field clearance which began during the earlier Bronze Age and continued into the later Bronze Age (2000-700 BC). The considerable longevity and variation in the size, content and associations of cairnfields provide important information on the development of land use and agricultural practices. Cairnfields also retain information on the diversity of beliefs and social organisation during the prehistoric period.

The cairnfield 730m south east of Burntshield Haugh is reasonably well preserved and retains significant archaeological deposits. Cairnfields are not a common feature of this part of the North Pennines and taken together with the associated prehistoric settlements and field systems, the monument will contribute to our knowledge and understanding of prehistoric settlement and agriculture in the region.

Details

The monument includes the remains of a cairnfield of prehistoric date, situated on gently sloping ground on the western edge of Burntshieldhaugh Fell, overlooking the valley of Devil's Water to the south. The cairnfield is associated with two prehistoric settlements and field systems on Burntshieldhaugh Fell which are the subject of separate schedulings. The cairnfield is visible as the remains of at least ten circular cairns of stone and earth construction. The cairns vary between 2m to 3.5m in diameter and stand to a maximum height of 0.3m.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

28581

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
NY95SW 28,

End of official list entry

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