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
The monument, which falls into two areas, includes a prehistoric field
system, together with settlements situated on Kerswell Down and Whilborough
Common. The field system survives as a series of interconnected banks
forming several rectilinear fields. The fields are aligned on two main axes
and the boundaries themselves survive as low rubble banks measuring 2m wide
and 0.2m high. There are several small clearance cairns within the field
system and at NGR SX 86886748 is an 80m diameter circular enclosure. A large
number of circular platforms survive within the monument and whilst some may
represent the remains of early quarries others are the stances for small
prehistoric houses.
The concrete bases for benches and made up footpath surfaces are excluded
from the scheduling, although the ground beneath is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
36029
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals
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
