Reasons for Designation
Stone hut circles and hut circle settlements were the dwelling places of
prehistoric farmers. Most date from the Bronze Age (c.2000-700 BC). The stone-
based round-houses consist of low walls or banks enclosing a circular floor
area; the remains of the turf, thatch or heather roofs 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 or stone. Frequently traces of their associated
field systems may be found immediately around them. These may be indicated by
areas of clearance cairns and/or the remains of field walls and other
enclosures. The longevity of use of hut circle settlements and their
relationship with other monument types provides 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 a prehistoric stone hut circle settlement, an associated
field system, and two round cairns located on the lower south-facing slopes of
Mell Fell, 700m south west of Great Carrath. The stone hut circle settlement
includes a sub-rectangular stone-walled enclosure measuring approximately 65m
by 50m internally which has a modern drystone wall constructed on its north
eastern corner. Within the settlement enclosure are the remains of two stone
hut circles, one built adjacent to the eastern wall of the enclosure, the
other adjacent to the west wall of the enclosure, each measuring approximately
8.5m by 6m. There appear to be traces of a narrow entrance to the settlement
immediately adjacent to the western hut circle. On the hillslope south and
south east of the settlement there is an extensive associated field system
consisting of rectangular and curvilinear fields or large enclosures bounded
by stone and earth-built banks. Two disturbed round cairns interpreted as
funerary monuments lie approximately 90m to the east and 90m to the west of
the settlement. Both measure about 6m in diameter by 0.5m high.
All modern field boundaries are excluded from the scheduling, although the
ground beneath these features is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
32821
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
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
