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, which falls into three separate areas of protection,
includes a prehistoric settlement and an irregular aggregate field system
lying on the upper north west facing slope of Laughter Tor. The
prehistoric settlement survives partly within the irregular aggregate
field system and includes at least four stone hut circles, two of which
lie to the east of the field system. The stone hut circles survive as
circular or oval banks surrounding an internal area which varies from
9 sq m to 39 sq m, with the average being 19 sq m. The height of the
surrounding walls varies between 0.45m and 0.8m, with the average being
0.55m. One of the huts has a visible doorway and two are butted by field
boundary banks. The easternmost stone hut circle has a very unusual wall,
which can best be described as multi-orthostatic. The inner and outer
edges of the wall together with its core are formed by relatively small
edge set slabs.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
34458
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
