From ‘The Beauties of England and Wales’ – J.Britton and E.W.Brayley, 1802:
On the eminence above the church, called Riber Hill, are the remains of what has been supposed a Druidical altar, but which has more resemblance to a cromlech; although it may only have been intended for a point to transmit signals.It is called the Hirst Stones, and consists of four rude masses of gritstone, on which apparently the smallest is placed on the others, and is computed to weigh about 2 tons. on the upper stone is a circular hole, wherein 50yrs ago stood a stone pillar