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
This monument includes two hut circles, parts of field systems of medieval
and earlier dates, an enclosure, and a post-medieval field clearance
cairn. It is located on a steeply sloping, south facing valley side
overlooking the sea at Soar Mill Cove.
A long straight field boundary runs at an angle up the valley side from
the stream to Hazel Tor, measuring 3m wide and up to 2m high with vertical
stone slabs set in it edge to edge, forming a fence. The earthwork
enclosure abuts the lower side of this boundary and is `D'-shaped,
measuring 50m long and 40m wide across the visible earthworks. Its banks
are from 9m to 15m wide, rising 0.3m from the interior and falling up to
3.5m to a shallow outer ditch with a slight counterscarp bank. Within the
enclosure is a hut platform, 11m across and 1m high. Two medieval lynchets
with scarps up to 2m high, cut across the enclosure and continue for 160m
to the north west and 40m to the south east, where a later field clearance
cairn lies at its end. Some 40m west of the enclosure, a hut circle 12m in
total diameter with walls 2m wide and 0.8m high lies on a low platform
just south of the lynchets, while a second hut circle with similar
dimensions sits on a low platform 100m east of the enclosure.
A ruined 19th century shippon which abuts the long straight field boundary
at its south east end is not included in the scheduling.
The modern fence posts are excluded from the scheduling, although the
ground beneath them is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
34883
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
