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
The monument includes an enclosed stone hut circle settlement lying on a north
facing steep slope within Great Stannon Newtake overlooking the valley of the
River South Teign. At least three enclosures survive within the settlement.
The western enclosure is sub oval in shape, measures 72m long by 44m wide and
is denoted by a 1m wide rubble bank standing up to 0.3m high. One stone hut
circle lies within the northern part of the enclosure and another is butted by
the enclosure wall. The central enclosure links two stone hut circles,
measures 30m long by 20m wide and is defined by a low rubble bank. The third
enclosure survives as two separate lengths of rubble walling whose original
extent is now partly hidden by peat accumulation.
The stone hut circles within the settlement all survive as banks each
surrounding an oval or circular internal area which varies from 8 square
metres to 13.85 square metres with the average being 11.77 square metres. The
height of the surrounding walls varies between 0.3m and 0.4m. The hut walls
appear to be of rubble bank construction, although soil accummulation makes
positive identification difficult.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
28682
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals
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
