Three round cairns 960m and 920m north east of Outer Huccaby Ring

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. Round cairns are prehistoric funerary monuments dating to the Bronze Age (c.2000-700 BC). They were constructed as earthen or rubble mounds, the latter predominating in areas of upland Britain where such raw materials were locally available in abundance. Round cairns may cover single or multiple burials and are sometimes surrounded by an outer ditch. Often occupying prominent locations, they are a major visual element in the modern landscape. 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. Dartmoor provides one of the best preserved and most dense concentrations of round cairns in south- western Britain.

Despite partial early excavation, the three round cairns 960m and 920m north east of Outer Huccaby Ring survive comparatively well and will contain archaeological and environmental information relating to their construction and use. Broadly contemporary settlements lie within the vicinity of this monument and together they will provide a valuable insight into the character of prehistoric land use.

Details

The monument, which falls into two separate areas of protection, includes three round cairns situated on a lower east facing slope of Laughter Tor overlooking the valley of the East Dart River. The northern cairn survives as a 6.4m diameter mound standing up to 0.7m high. A number of protruding stones on the eastern side of the mound may represent a kerb which survives elsewhere as a buried feature. The central cairn is 7m in diameter and 0.7m high, whilst its near neighbour is 5.6m in diameter, up to 0.6m high and may also have a kerb. All three cairns have slight hollows cut into them, suggesting partial early excavation or robbing.

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:

34460

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
Title: Duchy Farms Survey - Brimpts Farm Source Date: 1988 Author: Publisher: Surveyor: 1:10000 plan

End of official list entry

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