Cairn 190m west of Archerton

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 excavation, the cairn 190m west of Archerton survives comparatively well and will contain archaeological and environmental information relating to this area during the prehistoric period. The presence of the kerb confirms that structural information will survive. In broader terms the monument also provides a valuable insight into Bronze Age funerary and ritual activity as well as providing information concerning territorial control on the Moor.

Details

The monument comprises a cairn situated on a north east facing slope overlooking the valley of the East Dart River. The cairn survives as an oval mound standing up to 0.6m high and measuring 6.8m north west-south east by 5.2m north east-south west. The periphery of the mound is denoted in places by edge set stones denoting the survival of a kerb. A further edge stone within the interior of the mound may represent the remnants of a cist. In the centre and towards the western side of the cairn is an irregular shaped hollow representing the site of a partial early excavation.

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:

34488

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
NMR, English Heritage, NMR Monument Report SX 67 NW 4, (2003)

End of official list entry

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