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
This monument includes three stone hut circles forming part of a partially
enclosed stone hut circle settlement situated on a gentle north west facing
slope overlooking the valley of the River Plym. The stone hut circles survive
as banks of earth and stone each surrounding a circular internal area. The
interior of the western stone hut circle measures 4m in diameter and the
surrounding 0.9m wide wall stands up to 0.3m high. The south eastern wall of
this building is joined to another hut which survives as a 3m diameter
internal area defined by a 1.4m wide wall standing up to 0.6m high. The third
stone hut circle lies 8m ESE of the second building and has a 2.8m diameter
interior surrounded by a 1.3m wide and 0.6m high wall. A gap in the
surrounding wall which faces south west, is probably an original doorway; it
is lined on the western side, and is partly blocked by a fallen orthostat.
Other archaeological features surviving within the vicinity of this monument
are the subject of separate schedulings.
This monument is in the care of the Secretary of State.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
24227
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
