Rhossili Down Cairn(s) View all content for Rhossili Down

Coflein descriptions of the cairns on Rhossili Down, running south-north: Cairn IV (SS42048877) A large denuded cairn, 15.2m in diameter, defined by a stoney bank and having a central pile of stones 5.5m by 4.3m and 0.3m high, with a central robbed hollow. The Beacon - Cairn VIII (SS41998886) One of a group of barrows on Rhossili Down, this one lies on the summit below a concrete trig. pillar. The cairn is a stony mound measuring 14m (NW-SE) by 12m and 0.5m high. It is composed mostly of quartz conglomerate stones and small boulders with some larger boulders on the north suggesting a perimeter kerb. The mound has been disturbed, probably through construction of the pillar. Cairn VII (SS42268892) Thought to be a denuded ring-cairn, 10.1m in diameter and 0.3m high, with indications of a raised rim. Cairn III (SS42048894) A mutilated cairn, 12.2m in diameter and 0.6m high. Kerbing survives on the N and there is a central robber crater. Cairn II (SS42068903) A heather-grown platform c.0.3m high, with a kerb of conglomerate orthostats 9.1m in diameter. It is suggested that the cairn may have had a raised rim and that a central hollow may represent a robbed cist. Cairn I (SS42018918) A mutilated cairn, 13.7m in diameter and 0.6m high, showing the remains of kerbing on the N. Ring Cairn (SS42168927) A possible ring cairn, 9.0m in diameter, having a bank 1.8m wide and under 0.2m high. An alternative interpretation would see this as the remains of a roundhouse. Cairn V (SS42278938) This one isn't shown on the OS 1:25000 map. A flat, stoney area, c.14m in diameter, with indications of a liminal bank. Sweyne's Howes Ring Cairn (SS42148977) A denuded cairn, 9.0m in diameter and 0.4m high, presenting the aspect of a ring cairn, with possible upright slabs about its circuit. May be the tumulus dug c.1870, producing charcoal, calcinated bones and a cinerary urn. Bessie's Meadow Cairn (SS41889008) A robbed and mutilated cairn, 6.0m by 4.0m and 0.3m high, upon the N summit of Rhossili Down. Kerbing and a possible cist have been reported. The monument is overlain by the S wall of Bessie's Meadow (SS49SW50).

Posted by thesweetcheat 25th March 2012ce

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