Three round cairns on the summit of Dod Hill

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.

The three round cairns on the summit of Dod Hill are well preserved and retain significant archaeological deposits. They are part of a group of prehistoric monuments on Dod Hill which, taken together, will contribute to the study of prehistoric activity in this area.

Details

The monument includes the remains of three round cairns of Bronze Age date, situated on the summit of Dod Hill and in three separate areas of protection. The cairns lie in a row on an east-west axis with wide views in all directions. The adjacent prehistoric and medieval sites are the subject of separate schedulings. The largest and most easterly round cairn is situated in a prominent position on the edge of the summit. The stone built cairn measures 12m in diameter and stands to a maximum height of 0.4m high. The western side of the cairn has been partially disturbed by a walkers cairn and a large, flat stone, interpreted as the capstone of a cist, has been exposed. The second round cairn lies 20m west of the first. This round cairn is 3.5m in diameter and stands to a maximum height 0.3m. It retains traces of a surrounding kerb. The third and most westerly cairn lies 50m west of the second, measures 4m in diameter and stands up to 0.3m high.

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:

31746

Legacy System:

RSM

End of official list entry

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