Miscellaneous

Rhossili Down
Cairn(s)

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).