Castilly Henge Henge View all content for Castilly Henge

One of only three surviving henges in Cornwall, along with Castlewich Henge and the Stripple Stones. This is what Craig Weatherhill says in his book ‘Cornovia: Ancient Sites of Cornwall’ (Cornwall Books, 1985, revised 1997 & 2000): “Above the W side of the A391, just S of its junction with the A30. The site is clearly visible from the A30. An oval earthwork with a maximum diameter of 66m. The surrounding bank is 1.8m high; the internal ditch is 2.1m deep and 5.5m wide. The flat featureless central area measures 49m by 29m. The broad opening on the north-west side is the original entrance; the smaller south-eastern gap dates from about the thirteenth century when the site was remodelled for use as a plen-an-gwary (medieval amphitheatre). It was adapted again, this time for defensive purposes, during the Civil War. The henge, recognised as such in 1954, was excavated in 1962 but its Neolithic origin was not conclusively proved. Sited on a north-facing slope, it lies near the junction of two major prehistoric trackways and was formerly surrounded by several round barrows, few of which remain.”

Posted by pure joy 12th February 2003ce

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