Chance

Details of long mound on Pastscape

A Neolithic long mound at West Cotton, part of a complex of monuments examined as part of the Raunds area project. The mound was orientated roughly east-west, and measured 135 metres by 13 to 18 metres. Nearly half of the monument was excavated. In its first phase, the mound appears to have been circa 90 metres long, and was constructed of turf and soil stacked within a series of ractangular bays defined by transverse and longitudinal lines of stake holes. Parts of the mound were flanked by broad, shallow quarry pits though material from these appears not to have been used on the mound construction. The eastern end of the mound may have featured a south-facing “chamber” defined by stakes and possibly flanked by open bays, and with a forecourt and facade to the east of the chamber. This area was subsequently covered by a simple dumped mound withno internal structure, and the mound extended to its full 135 metre length. A length of carbonized wooden plank from thew mound has a calibrated radiocarbon date of 3497-3147 BC. Following the extension of the mound, a gully was cut around its edge. The gully fill contained quantities of burnt material, some dumped but some indicating in situ burning. Charcoal from this fill has been dated to 3691-3388 Cal BC. Stakes at the eastern end suggest some form of facade. Two provided dates of 3255-2925 Cal BC and 2466-2291 Cal BC. The mound material included nearly 4000 struck flints, while the quarry pits adjacent to the mound include quantities of Ebbsflet Ware sherds. A pit sealed by the mound has been dated to 4725-4542 Cal BC, while a tree throw hole beneath the mound was surrounded by a surface scatter of flints. This mound and the adjacent long enclosure appear to have formed a focus for subsequent monuments. The more distant Cotton Henge is also positioned in line with the long mound’s axis.

Details of henge on Pastscape

[NT 94053308] Henge [LB] Class II henge monument discovered by Dr. J.K. St. Joseph, consisting of an oval bank with internal ditch and opposing entrances. The diameter of the bank, which is best preserved on the western side, is 310 ft. Inside, the ditch appears as a shallow depression with a difference in height between ditch and bank of about 2ft. Aerial photgraphs show two narrow ditches, forming a droveway which passes through the entrances of the site. The ditches are not visible on the ground, but must be of later date than the henge. (2-3)
Surveyed at 1:2500. Ploughing has considerably reduced the remains which are now barely discernible. (4) As described. Published survey (25”) revised. (5)
NT 9405 3308. Coupland, Ewart. Sub-oval enclosure known from cropmarks and formerly surviving as a slight earthwork, situated at c.47m above OD on level ground. The external bank has been destroyed on the E by a road and appears to have been damaged by quarry pits (visible as cropmark splodges) in the NE sector. The enclosure, listed as a classic henge, lies some 800m SW of the present course of the River Till. The henge has an asymmetrical ditch of regular width. The N part is rather wider than the S, bowing out particularly in the W sector. There are roughly squared terminals. Outside the ditch are the slight remains of a bank. A pit-like mark is visible roughly in the centre of the S causeway between the ditch terminals. The internal diameter ranges from c.63m to 68m (est. from transcription); the ditch width from c.4m to 5m. The causeways are c.16m wide at the SSE and c.16m at the NNW. The enclosure is associated with a pair of roughly parallel ditches c.7-33m apart and c.1-2.5m wide (see NT 93 SW 42), which run through the enclosure via its entrances. The E ditch of this avenue runs straight through without a break, although curving to avoid the NE terminal of the bank. The W ditch similarly veers to avoid the NW bank terminal, approaching to within c.7m of the E ditch, as it passes through, but in the S sector it breaks, stopping well short of the enclosure ditch on either side of the SSW terminal. (6) NT 940 330. Site of henge 1000yds (910m) SE of Milfield. Scheduled No ND/505. (7)
Excavations across the southern entrance to the enclosure in 1995 have produced evidence which, it is claimed, date the site to the early 4th millennium BC, which would make it the earliest henge by the best part of a millennium. Pits containing charcoal, charred hazelnut shells and Early Neolithic Grimston Ware potsherds were found, and some of the hazelnuts produced radiocarbon dates of around 3800 BC. The presence of similar material in one of the droveway ditches, and similar radiocarbon dates from charcoal in this ditch deposit, have been taken to suggest that the droveway is of Early Neolithic date, and therefore the henge must be slightly earlier. However, an alternative possibility must be that the droveway ditch has cut through an earlier, Grimston ware associated deposit. In any case, further to the south, the droveway also swerves to avoid the late Neolithic henge of East Marleyknowe (NT 93 SW 27), while to the north it also seems to deliberately avoid the late Neolithic henge of Millfield South (NT 93 SW 37). The excavations also identified two post holes in the enclosure entrance, one on either side of the entrance gap and within the area defined by the droveway ditches, while in a more central position was a shallow pit devoid of any artefactual material. (8) The site has been mapped from the air as part of the Milfield Geoarchaeology Project. (See archive object MD000295)

Details of causewayed enclosure on Pastscape

Site of a possible Neolithic causewayed enclosure. The cropmarks were plotted and interpreted by RCHME in 1996 as part of the Industry and Enclosure in the Neolithic Project. The site occupies a low rise about 0.5 km south of Eynsham. A stream runs to the east, and the Thames lies 1.5 km to the east. The enclosure comprises an arc of two concentric interrupted ditches, probably forming part of an oval enclosure. Less than 50% of the assumed circuit is visible. The two ditches are 22 metres apart, and are visible for lengths of 68 metres (outer) and 72 metres (inner). The maximum diameter of the inner circuit is circa 40 metres. A possible hengiform monument (SP 40 NW 354) is located between the two circuits.

Details of henge on Pastscape

The following feature was mapped from good quality air photographs:-
Possible Prehistoric or Roman enclosure, seen as cropmarks. Morphological description: a subcircular enclosure, diameter 8m,
defined by one ditch, with 1 entrance. Centred at:-SP 4261 0806. (Morph No. TG.587.81.2)
This description is based on data from the RCHME MORPH2 database. (1)
The enclosure described by the previous authority is probably a Bronze Age henge. The henge encloses a sub-oval area measuring 10m by 5m, centred at SP 4260 0806. It has opposed, but asymmetric, entrances aligned NW-SE. The henge is situated between the two circuits of a possible Neolithic causewayed enclosure (SP 40 NW 353) The entrances of the henge are on the same alignment as this enclosure perhaps suggesting the henge has been deliberately placed
in relation to the causewayed enclosure.
The henge was planned at 1:2500 scale using computer-aided transcription as part of the Eynsham Project which is part of the Industry and Enclosure in the Neolithic Project. (2) The henge is known as Deadman’s Burial 2. (2a)

Details of site on Pastscape

West Yorkshire Archaeology Service, undertaking a phased programme of survey and excavation to study and record the threatened landscape setting of Ferrybridge Henge, excavated two circles of pits at SE 475 241 (LO). The pit circles were found outside and to the south-east of the Ferrybridge Henge (SE 42 SE 31). Both pit circles measured around 16m in diameter, and had a central post-pit; they were formed by 13 and 14 post settings. (1)

Details of henge on Pastscape

[SE 474242] Circular soil mark, average diameter 180m with a possible entrance to the SW. Possible a henge, comparable in size and situation with the Thornborough circles 36 miles to the NW [SE 27 NE 4]. (1)
Surveyed at 1/2500. This feature lies mainly in two ploughed fields and is visible as a circular bank of very slight profile, now considerably spread by cultivation and partly destroyed by the cutting of a new road. Two slight depressions in the bank to NE and SW probably indicate original opposed entrances, both of which are now bisected by a modern track. APs show markings of an outer ditch in the NW quadrant which is visible on the ground as a superficial depression, but is not surveyable. The interior of the enclosure has a slightly domed appearance, which is probably caused by the ploughing out of an internal ditch. The earthwork has all the characteristics of Atkinson’s Class IIa ‘Henge’, thus favouring its comparison with the Thornborough Circles. (2)
In May 1992 the RCHME: Ferrybridge Henge Project recorded the cropmark of a circular henge ditch, 10m in width, at SE 4746 2424. The ditch has opposed entrances to the ENE and WSW; both east and west terminals of the southern arc are clearly defined, but those of the northern arc are slighted by a farm track. The maximum width of the causeway entrances is estimated as 20m for the ENE and 30m for the WSW. Concentric with the ditch and outside it, a bank approximately 15m wide, also has opposed entrances. Both entrance terminals are recorded on the WSW, and on the ENE that of the southern arc only (the NE quadrant of the bank is now destroyed). Between the inner ditch and the henge bank is a berm approximately 25m wide. Outside the bank is an ill-defined ditch, maximum width 26m, which is recorded on all sides except in the destroyed NE quadrant; this would confirm the previous classification by Authority 2 of a Class IIa Henge. A previous air photo transcription omits the outer ditch (3a). The internal diameter of the henge measures 100-102m; the external diameter of the henge measures 240-260m. The cropmark of a ring ditch (SE 42 SE 61) occupies the full width of the berm at SE 4748 2418, in the SSE sector of the henge. The relationship between the ring ditch and the henge is not clear. A full report and a plan can be found in the NMR archive (Coll UID 922907). West Yorkshire Archaeology Service is undertaking a phased programme of survey and excavation to study and record the threatened landscape setting of the henge monument (3b). Excavation in 1991 of a section across the henge earthwork also confirmed the presence of an outer ditch and revealed details of the bank’s construction. (3) SE 474 246. Earthwork W of Ferrybridge. Scheduled No WY/720. (4)
Cropmark/soilmark remains of the henge at Ferrybridge were recorded as partof a 1:2500 scale aerial photographic survey carried out by the RCHME between 6th and 9th June 1997 as part of the RCHME: Industry and Enclosure in the Neolithic project. The plan of the henge and surrounding features, digital files and report are held by the RCHME (Collection UID: 1082880). (5)
The henge at Ferrybridge is visible as cropmarks and slight earthworks on air photographs. It has been recorded as part of a 1:10000 scale aerial photographic survey carried out by the Lower Wharfedale NMP project. The henge is as described by previous authorities. The ring ditch of the barrow that is located within the henge (described by authority 3 and also in SE 42 SE 61) has also been plotted as part of this survey. For the sake of clarity all the features associated with the henge shall be described in records SE 42 SE 132 and SE 42 SE 133.
(8-9)

Details of henge on Pastscape

SE 3526 7353: Earthen Circle [O.E.] (1) SE 353 735: Hutton Moor. North Circle. (2) SE 352 735: Henge monument class IIA. (3)
The earthwork has been considerably reduced and denuded by modern ploughing but despite this the published survey (25 1912) remains correct. This cultivation which is still in operation is further reducing and spreading the circular bank and internal ditch and although these features are still substantial in height their limits are now poorly defined. A slight but wide external depression is traceable around the entire earthwork except at the north and south entrances where a well spread causeway leading from the central platform crosses it. These latter features are not surveyable and have been annotated on the 25” survey. (4)
SE 3525 7353: Entry in corpus; No 209. Classic henge with bank lying between two ditches. Ditch terminals are roughly squared. Internal diameter range circa 93-96 metres, external diameter range circa 240-254 metres, inner ditch circa 10-18 metres wide (estimated from transcription). Orientation north north west to south south east. Raistrick excavated parts of the inner ditch before 1929. (5)
SE 3525 7352: Henge monument 500 metres north west of Low Barn. Scheduled RSM No 25578. The bank is 45 metres wide and stands to a max height of 3 metres. The inner ditch, which remains as a slight hollow, is 5 metres wide. The inner enclosure has a diameter of 80 metres. The overall external diameter is as stated by Authority 5. There are two entrances at the north and south, formed by access causeways. The monument is crossed by two modern fence lines. (6)
This henge comprises several elements. An inner ditch circuit (c. 10-12m wide) of sub-circular plan with a maximum diameter of 100m. Some photos show the inner ditch to be discountinuous but others do not but this may indicate that the depth of the ditch varies around the circuit. The cropmarks suggest there is a possible pit within the north-west quadrant of the inner area and there is slight evidence for an internal bank. The inner ditch circuit has opposed entrances facing to the north and to the south. Surrounding the ditch is an outer bank, which sits on the berm between the inner ditch and a second outer ditch. The berm is some 50m wide and bank material appears to be spread across it on many of the air photos, but the 1973 photos indicated that the original base of the bank was only 15-17m wide and was situated near the middle of the berm. There are two entrances in the bank, both aligned with those in the inner ditch. The outer-most ditch is less regular in width, measuring between 6m and 16m it too has entrances aligned with those in the inner ditch. The outer ditch terminals are notably square, the bank terminal appear slight flared and higher than the rest of the bank ring, whilst the inner ditch terminals are more rounded. The western edge of the outer ditch is clipped by a modern field boundary. 2007 and 2009 air photos suggest this monument does still survive as low earthworks. (7-12)

Details of henge on Pastscape

A henge located north of Rudston, circa 160 metres from the Gypsey Race stream and the cursus which runs north-south parallel with the stream. The henge was discovered as a cropmark on an aerial photograph in the early 1960s, although subsequent field investigation showed it to survive as an earthwork, albeit badly plough-damaged. The monument comprises a sub-circular enclosure of around 98 metres maximum external diameter, featuring a ditch with external bank. Two broadly opposing entrances, to the south east and the north west, are visible. A later small square barrow is visible as a cropmark within the henge, while another square barrow is visible to the north, and a ring ditch abuts the external southwestern side of the henge bank. Trial excavation in 1964 showed that little of the bank material remained unaffected by ploughing, with just 2 inches of compacted chalk rubble lying over the original ground surface. The bank was measured at circa 37 feet wide. The internal ditch was 38 feet wide, V-shaped in profile and very steep-sided, up to 13 feet 3 inches deep. No berm was observed in the excavations, although a narrow berm appears on aerial photographs. The primary ditch silts contained no finds. Beaker and Grooved Ware sherds were present in the secondary fill, while a single Roman sherd was found in the uppermost layers. Near the centre of the henge a small trench uncovered four post holes in a line, 2 of them containing Beaker sherds. A trench across the south-eastern entrance uncovered a causeway circa 50 feet wide, with the ditch terminals “somewhat” squared at the ends and steeply sloped. Further excavations were planned but do not appear to have taken place. It has been suggested that the name “Stodefald” (horse inclosure), recorded in 1299, refers to the henge. Maiden’s Grave may also have served as the wapentake meeting place, during the Early Medieval period.

Details of henge on Pastscape

SE 459450. The soilmark of a henge monument probably Class IIa type – see ‘Thornborough Circles’ (Early Bronze Age, SE 27 NE 4) was visible after ploughing in 1976. The lane to the north had been obviously curved to avoid the bank which is still slightly visible on the ground at this point. See 25” trace. (1)
St Joseph AP shows the soil mark of the western side of the henge.(2)
RAF and OS APs not available.
SE 459450. The henge at Newton Kyme was partly revealed on St. Joseph air photographs taken in 1967 but the whole extent was not identified until 1976 (3,4). The henge consisted of three concentric rings with approximate diameters of 210, 180 and 90m. The inner ring, which had entrances at 170 and 350 degrees, could be traced very well, though there were breaks on the east side. The middle ring had many interruptions and was missing for perhaps 70m. on the north. A long, curving cropmark crossed the henge from N-S and two parallel lines tangential to the outer ring at the south ran in an east-west direction (3).Examination of the henge on the ground in 1979 revealed a wide inner ditch, oval in plan, separated by a broad space from the outer ditches. A bank is raised to nearly one metre. The inner ditch is visible as a slight hollow in distinct contrast to the mound. To the west, the marks suggest a chain of irregular quarry-pits. There is a contrast between the regular finished appearance of the inner ditch and the irregular and discontinuous outer ditch or ditches. (3-4)
This site lies very close to the Roman forts at Newton Kyme. The fact that it still survives as a low earthwork has led to the suggestion that, like Maumbury Rings, the henge may have been reused as a military ludus or amphitheatre. (5) No surveyable trace in field of wheat. (6)
An air photographic interpretation by the RCHME Newton Kyme Project confirmed the cropmark henge centred at SE 4593 4499. There was no evidence from air photographs to suggest any structural changes to the henge, associated with its use as Roman military ‘ludus’, as described by authority 5. The long curving cropmark orientated in a north-south direction across the henge, described by authority 3, is a geological cropmark. The two linear ditches orientated in an east-west direction, south of the henge, also mentioned by authority 3, form a trackway described in SE 44 NE 32.
Three concentric ditches with some evidence of an earthwork bank, were visible on air photographs. The disparate form of the broad inner ditch and the two outer segmented ditches led D. Riley (7a) to suggest they were not contemporary, as the form of the outer ditches resembled a Neolithic causewayed camp, surrounding the inner henge. In view of this, the henge was evaluated as part of the RCHME Industry and Enclosure in the Neolithic Project. It was concluded that this form of henge (Class IIA) has close parallels with six other Yorkshire henges, forming a regional group, of Late Neolithic/ Early Bronze Age henges, and it is was not considered to include a Neolithic causewayed camp structure. (7) SE 459450 Roman fort and vicus and Neolithic henge monument,
scheduled. (8) Newton Kyme. SE 459450. Included in a gazetteer of henge monuments. (9)
The site of the henge falls within the project area for the Vale of York Project and was transcribed at a scale of 1:10,0000, based on the 1:2,5000 plan. Noe new features were noted on recent photographs taken since the 1995 air survey.
(11)

Details of henge on Pastscape

[SE 323 747] A new circle of Thornborough type at Nunwick, some portions of which are extant, discovered by Dr JK St Joseph, is visible on air photographs as a crop-mark circle of about 120 m. diameter. The site is very nearly on the alignment of the axis of the Thornborough Circles, though it is nearer to the Hutton Moor pair. Its measurement agrees well with the diameter of the inner ditch of the central Thornborough circle. (1)
The slight remains of the circle, surveyed at 1:2500, are situated at SE 3229 7484. Its bank is traceable throughout as a broad swelling of indeterminate height, and the inner ditch is discernible, in places, as a superficial depression. There is no evidence of any external ditch, which is a feature of the Thornborough type of circle.
A preliminary excavation by Mr. D. Dymond of R.C.H.M. York, in 1961 added no additional information. Survey of 22.5.62 checked and correct. (2)
A large monument (Atkinson’s Class II) visible as a low bank with internal ditch, and having two opposed entrances on the north and south, corresponding causeways being visible across the ditch on APs. Limited excavation was carried out by D. P. Dymond in 1961. The overall diameter is about 690 ft., the bank was originally 60 ft. wide, now much spread; present height 18 inches. The ditch was 45 ft. wide and 5 ft. 10 inches deep. There was originally a berm of 30 ft. between bank and ditch.
At an early stage in the silting of the ditch there was occupation in a limited area, revealed by a circular patch of burnt material 10 ft. in diameter, containing many pot-boilers. No dating evidence was found but three worked flints, two waste flakes and a scraper came from plough soil in the field to the south-west. (Now in Yorkshire Museum) [See AO/LP/64/11 & 12 – Plan & AP.] (3) SE 3229 7483. Henge monument 300m N of Nunwick. Scheduled RSM No 25585. (4)
Entry in corpus; No 212 Nunwick. Classic henge orientated NNW-SSE.(5)
This henge is visible as cropmarks and low earthworks on historic and recent air photos and lidar-derived images at SE3229 7484. It lies close to where Nunwick Beck and the modified channel of Hallikeld Stell meet before they merge with the River Ure. The henge ditch is approximately 7m wide and encloses a sub-circular area approximately 100m in diameter. There are opposed causewayed entrance facing near north and near south. The lidar-derived images suggest an outer bank that is some 30m wide but much of this is likely to be spread caused by medieval and later ploughing. Although there is a hint of a bank terminus near the northern entrance generally the bank appears to be continuous, again because of the impact of medieval and later ploughing. (6-8)

Details of henge on Pastscape

[SE 0141 6541] (1) A disc barrow at Yarnbury. (1-2)
This feature, although described as a disc barrow, has no vestige of a central mound and seems too well preserved for any removal of such a mound to have taken place. As it now stands, the earthwork has the appearance of a small Class I Henge Monument, as both internal ditch and single entrance are clearly defined. Mr. D. Dymond of R.C.H.M. (York) also considers this to be a small ‘henge’, and, hopes to excavate the site in 1964 Surveyed at 1:2500. (3)
Yarnbury Henge Monument SE 016657. Excavated in 1964. The enclosure consists of a circular earthwork 116 ft. in diameter overall with an internal ditch,and an original entrance in the SE.The ditch was rock-cut and the bank of simple dump construction. No dating evidence and no traces of internal structures were found. Class I. (5)
Situated at SE 01416541 on a slight rise is a Class I Henge measuring 31.0m diameter between the centres of a turf-covered stony bank, about 4.0m wide 0.5m maximum height, with an internal ditch about 3.0m wide 0.5m maximum depth. The single entrance 2.0m wide is in the SE. About 13.0m to the N of the entrance the bank and ditch have been destroyed by modern quarrying about 10.0m in diameter which has sectioned the bank revealing its content of earth and stone.
There is a slight mutilation to the bank and ditch about 2.0m to the W of the entrance. There is no trace of the 1964 excavations.
Surveyed at 1:10 000. (6) SE 0141 6541. Yarnbury henge monument. Scheduled RSM No 24480. (7) No 217. Yarnbury, Grassington. Classified as ‘hengiform’. (8)

Details of henge and stone circle on Pastscape

A Neolithic stone circle and subsequent henge is located at the eastern end of the Stonehenge avenue (Monument Number 858883), beside the river Avon. Excavations in 2009 by the Stonehenge Riverside Project discovered nine pits, or stone settings, making an arc which probably formed part of a larger stone circle measuring perhaps 10m across and thought to have been erected around 3000 BC. Some of the pits contained small bluestone chips which prompted the name `Bluestonehenge?. Charcoal and antler picks were also found. In about 2500 BC the stone circle was dismantled, with the bluestones possibly moved to Stonehenge (Monument Number 219434) and then around 2400BC and a henge ditch, about 25m in diameter, and outer bank were constructed. There do not appear to be any significant solar or lunar orientations within the monument.

Details of Stones on Pastscape

(SX 14377521) Stripple Stones (NAT) Henge (NR) (1)
Class 1 Henge (2), being the second largest stone circle in Cornwall. It stands on the south east slope of Hawk’s Tor. There were originally about 28 standing stones of granite up to 10’ in height in a circle 146.5’ in diameter, at an average distance of 16.5’ apart. Only 4 were still standing at the time of the excavation (3) and comparison with Lukis’s plan 1879 showed that there had been considerable pillage during the intervening years. The circle and platform were surrounded by a bank 224’ in diameter, almost concentric with the stones. The broad and irregular inner ditch at the north east to west became indistinct at the south side. (2-4)
The same number of stones remain (ie 4 standing, 10 recumbent) as shown on Tregelles’ stylised plan. The gap in the west is probably the original entrance; breaks in the south bank appear to be modern. The henge is severely mutilated by cattle, particularly in the north quadrant. Surveyed at 1:2500. (5)
A badly ruined circle-henge with stones of local granite.
Originally a circle of 28 stones with a diameter of 147 ft stood inside a ditch and external bank measuring about 224 ft from crest to crest and broken by a single entrance at the WSW. The bank has curious semi-circular apses in it at NNE, E and WNW.
The 1905 excavation showed that the stones were only poorly supported and several post holes to the north east and west of the centre stone may indicate where trial posts had stood before the position for the tall central pillar was determined. (6)
Stripple Stones, at 280m above O.D. on a shelf of an otherwise very slight south east slope. Partly in open moorland and about one fifth of perimeter in enclosed pasture. Unaltered in recent years, an no obvious diggings by treasure hunters. Damage by cattle continues.
Included in catalogue and distribution map of Neolithic sites in Cornwall. (8)
Roughly circular enclosure defined by slight bank and ditch with single entrance and circle of standing stones on terrace on the south-east side of Hawks Tor at c 275m above OD. (9)

Details of barrow and henge on Pastscape

[SK 3334 2834] Round Hill (1)
About half a mile east of Twyford village is a large tumulus said to contain the remains of Civil War casualties. (2)
SK 333283 Crop marks, ‘Henge’ (AP. ABA 46).
SK 334284 Crop marks, ‘Henge’ (AP AFY 32). (3)
This is a very large bell barrow, the surrounding area is under experimental crop and it is not possible to perambulate. The mound has an approx. max. height of 4.0m., has been ploughed and is now flat topped. Viewed from the field edge there is no surface indications of the ditch.
There are faint traces of an unsurveyable depression, some 25m. beyond the barrow edge, on all sides but the south. The barrow is 3.5m high, published survey (25”) correct. (5) Round Hill, a circular mound 30.0m in diameter and 3.0m high (7), possibly a barrow (6). Air photographs show that it is encircled by a ring ditch 110.0m in diameter with two entrances, suggesting a henge monument. SK 333283: Twyford henge moument and Round Hill Barrow, scheduled.
(SK 333283) Round Hill (NAT) Tumulus (NR) (6-9)
Sub-oval enclosure surrounding a circular mound situated at about 39m above OD. Possible henge, suggested by broad irregular ditch with two entrances. (10)
A henge, surrounding the earthwork remains of a round barrow 30 metres in diameter and 3 metres high. The surrounding ditch is circa 110 metres in diameter, and has two roughly opposed entrances, to the south east and the west-north-west. Cropmarks of a double ditched linear feature, possibly a trackway, run from the south east entrance in a south westerly direction, leading to a sub-rectangular enclosure. Other linear features, presumably field boundaries, are also visible as cropmarks. The barrow mound is centrally positioned within the cropmark enclosure. In the 19th century it was reported that it contained the remains of Civil War casualties, but it is not clear if there is any factual basis for this, or if it is simply a local tradition.
A probable later prehistoric round barrow and possible henge are visible as an earthwork and cropmarks on air photographs, centred at SK 3334 2834. The henge is visible as a curvilinear ditched enclosure with a width varying between 5m and 9m and internal dimensions of 70m by 74m. The southern element of the henge cropmark is very irregular in plan, possibly suggesting extensive damage by later agriculture. It has two possible entrances to the north-west, measuring 10m wide, and south-east, measuring 16m wide, though not opposing one another. A narrow ditch extends to the north-west from the henge entrance for a length of 22m. The feature is bisected and possibly partially disturbed by a post medieval field boundary, orientated north-west to south-east (UID 1518316). The possible round barrow is central to the henge and has a diamater of 33m. A double-ditched trackway cropmark crosses elements of the henge (UID 313176). Most of the earthwork barrow is extant on the latest Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SK3328 23-AUG-2007, though elements appear to have been damaged or removed by recent farming practice. (11-13)

Details of henge on Pastscape

NT 929304: Old Yeavering Henge was discovered on air photographs 200m. east-south-east of the Anglo-Saxon palace site (NT 93 SW 11). It was found to be a double entrance henge, with the entrances aligned northwest-southeast. Subsequent excavation in 1976 revealed a 4m. wide flattish bottom ditch encompassing an elliptical area of 16 by 19m.
Outside the western entrance a grave was uncovered. It was contained in an oval pit 1.96 by 1.14m and 0.70m. deep. The inhumation burial appeared as a silhouette of buff coloured grey material in orange gravel. It lay on its right side, head to the south and was contracted.
There were no dateable finds with the burial but it was probably contemporary with the henge. A little to the north of the grave was an irregular bowl-shaped pit circa 0.80 c 0.62m. and 0.31m. deep. Radio carbon dating from a layer of burnt material in the fill gave a date of 2940 +/- 90 bc. This pit appeared to have had a domestic function. Some 6m. outside the eastern entrance of the henge was an irregularly shaped depression containing a large number of Neolithic sherds. The depression does not appear to have been deliberately constructed. The henge was sandwiched between a rectangular house and a double enclosure ditch which appear to be synonymous with the Anglo Saxon palace site. (1)
Yeavering. Sub-oval cropmark enclosure broken by two entrances. A stone setting covering a grave was found 2m outside the W entrance on the main axis of the henge, with a domestic pit a short distance to the north. 6m outside the E entrance was an irregular depression. No prehistoric features were recovered in the interior which had been extensively reused in the Saxon period. Saxon features cut into the upper ditch fill.
Dimensions, internal diameter 16-19m, ditch 3.5-4m wide. Orientation ESE, WNW. (2)
The site has been mapped from the air as part of the Milfield Geoarchaeology Project. (See archive object MD000295)

Details of stone on Pastscape

A standing stone, its name deriving from a traditional association with a battle which took place in 1415, in which Sir Robert Umfrevill defeated the Scots at “Geteryne”. However, the stone is generally regarded as being of prehistoric date. It lies on a direct alignment from the opposing entrances of the nearby henge NT 93 SW 40, although the stone reportedly fell in 1890 and was re-erected in 1924 or 1925 following a visit by the Berwickshire Naturalists Club. As a result, its present position cannot be regarded as exact, although it is presumably close to its original location. It is circa 2 metres high, and is a scheduled ancient monument.

Details of henge on Pastscape

A henge monument at Arminghall photographed from the air (as cropmarks) in 1929 and partly excavated in 1935. The site comprises two concentric sub-circular ditches, the innermost circa 27 metres across and the outer circa 82 metres across. The outer ditch is much narrower. Traces of a slight bank were noted both inside the outer ditch and outside the inner ditch. These are presumed by the excavator to represent the same bank. The inner ditch has an entrance on its south-western side. The outer ditch could not be traced on the south west, so it is unclear if it featured a corresponding entrance gap. Cropmark evidence in fact suggests that there may have been three or four interruptions in the oute circuit in the south to southwest sector. Within the inner enclosure was a horseshoe-shaped arrangement of 8 substantial post holes, each of which was accompanied by a ramp (all facing the same direction). The two post holes which were excavated suggested that they held oak posts each about 1 foot in diameter, and sunk about 8 feet into the ground. Several decades later, a radiocarbon date of 2490+/-150 bc (uncalibrated) was obtained from charcoal recovered from one of the post holes. Finds from primary contexts were rather limited, comprising mainly flint flakes, cores and burnt flints plus 16 sherds of rusticated Beaker pottery from a “charcoal seam” in the inner ditch. The presence of Beaker sherds is a little at odds with the radiocarbon date, even allowing for the age of the wood, which suggests that the timber circle/horseshoe may well pre-date the henge itself. Unstratified material and finds from secondary contexts included items of Mesolithic, Iron Age and Roman date.

Details of stones on Pastscape

At SS 8018 4369, on the south-west facing slopes of Manor Allotment, is an alignment of three stones. It lies in a patch of bracken on a heather-covered hillside, adjacent to a modern path.
The stones are aligned north-south and consist of (from north to south):
1. Edge-set slab (0.35 m long, 0.1 m high, 0.05 m wide).
2. Stub.
3. Edge-set slab (0.4 m long, 0.1 m high, 0.03 m wide).
The shortness of this alignment suggests that it is a stone setting rather than a stone row. The adjacent path poses a direct threat to this vulnerable moument. Found during field reconnaissance and surveyed at 1:100 scale. (1)

Details of stone on Pastscape

Standing stone at SS 72064471 on Ilkerton Ridge south west of Hill Cottage, 3ft 3in high, 14in wide and 7in thick (1) was 2ft high in 1961 (2). (1-2)
SS 72074474. A standing stone 0.9m high, probably of prehistoric origin and classified under Bronze Age by Grinsell. (3)
A standing stone of local slate situated on the SE side of a broad saddle, is aligned WNW to ESE, following the ridge. It is of rectangular section, 0.4m wide and 0.15m thick and has an angled or `chisel’ top. A slight lean to the NNW has reduced its vertical height of 1m to 0.9m. Firmly embedded the stone is within a sheep worn hollow 1.8m across and 0.2m deep with a few loose stones which may have been former trigs. Its situation and proximity to barrows, suggests a prehistoric origin (4).

Details of stone on Pastscape

SS 78784467 Stone (NAT) (1) At Badgworthy Lees, South of Withycombe Ridge Water, two stones are shown on the OS map. (2) SS 788446 One standing stone. (3)
The eastern of the two probably prehistoric standing stones has apparently been removed. (4)
Formerly recorded as SS 74 SE 23, the easternmost of two standing stones (W stone is now SS 74 SE 97) This stone, still visible, contra authority (4), is an irregular slab with a jagged point, 0.7m high, 0.6m wide and 0.3m thick at the base. It now stands in an erosion hole, 1.5m across and 0.2m deep. It is regarded as probably prehistoric and is scheduled as such, but its origin remains uncertain. (5)

Details of barrow on Pastscape

ST 0672 3426: Tumulus (NR) Tumulus (NR). Round barrow 600 yards south west of Tilsey Plantation. Scheduled. Bowl barrow cairn 18 paces by 3 feet. (3)
This is a large, much disturbed bowl barrow 0.9 metres high. There is a fairly heavy concentration of stone on the surface but much of this probably resulted from field clearance during the war. Surveyed at 1/2500. See GP’s AO/65/68/1 & 2 stereo pair. (4)
ST06723425. Elworthy 1. A cairn north west of Elworthy barrows (ST 03 SE 1). Visited by Grinsell in May 1952 when it was under grass and measured 18 paces in diameter by 3 feet in height.Elworthy 1a. A barrow “in a field adjoining Elworthy Barrows”.
“Said to have been destroyed 1833, when was found a ring of stones encircling a quantity of ashes, among which was a stone or flint ‘Spear-head”, not preserved. Perhaps this may be barrow Elworthy 1”. (However Elworthy 1 is not strictly in a field adjoining Elworthy Barrows). (5-8)
This barrow is located in a pasture field on the eastern edge of the Brendon Hills at ST 0672 3426. The barrow survives as a large, spread ovoid mound, 20.8 metres N-S and 16 metres E-W. It is 0.9 metres high. The mound is turf covered and the top has a scattering of large blocks of stone – probably the result of recent field clearance. The top of the mound has been disturbed by a linear trench, possibly caused by vehicle damage (9).
ST 6723 3426: Bowl barrow 650 metres north west of Elworthy Barrows hillfort in an area known locally as Higher Hill. The mound is 19.5 metres diameter and 1.2 metres high. Scheduled. (10)
This mound is visible on a number of aerial photographs of the 1940s onwards. It has been transcribed as part of the Exmoor National Mapping Programme survey. Centred on circa ST 0671834262, the mound appears to measure approximately 19 metres long by 15 metres across, orientated roughly ENE-WSW. (11)

Details of site on Pastscape

[Centred: ST 07053370] Elworthy Barrows [TI] Camp [GT]. (1)
Elworthy Barrows [Listed under Simple Enclosed Camps] consists of the fragmentary remains of an approximately circular camp, circa 220 yard. diameter, defended by a bank and ditch. A considerable length of the bank, much reduced in height, remains on the N., another and higher section on the S.W., whilst the high banks which turned inwards and formed the entrance on the S.E., still remain. Polished stone axe found in Elworthy Barrows. (3) Univallate hillfort. (2-4)
“Elworthy Barrows” (Elworthy Burrows on early maps and the Tithe Map) is a fine example of an unfinished hillfort in a situation where there is no natural defence. The area was enclosed in the 1830s and probably laid down to pasture. There has been occasional ploughing but it is unlikely that there has been any deliberate attempt to destroy the rampart and infill the ditch. It was last ploughed c. 1943 when Mr. A. L. Wedlake collected a number of cores, worked flakes and three leaf shaped arrowheads from the interior and these remain in his possession. Lady A. Fox said that H. St. G. Gray was of the opinion that the earthwork was of Ne. origin but there is no evidence of this. Causewayed effects on the N. side appear to have resulted from incomplete construction – there is a wide berm between the quarry pits representing the ditch and the upcast of the rampart. The E. side has been taken a stage further with a continuous weak bank and shallow ditch although the inturned entrance is well developed. The southern side has been mutilated by a field bank constructed along the rampart. The West side of the hillfort is nearly complete though throughout working sections are distinct on the bank and in the ditch. The gap in the S.W. seems original, perhaps an intended entrance. There are no traces of any setting out bank that may have existed in the large gaps on the N.W. and N.E. The polished axe recorded by the V.C.H. cannot be traced at Taunton Mus. Surveyed at 1/2500. See GP’s. AO/65/6715-8. (5-7)
An unfinished univallate hillfort, circular in plan, covering an area of 3.5 hectares and defined by defences comprising a bank and outer ditch. The northern defences are less advanced than elsewhere comprising a bank with a narrow break in its length, flanked by a series of shallow quarry ditches. The eastern defences are defined by a bank, berm and shallow outer ditch with an overall width of 22 metres. An inturned entrance is also present. The southern defences are thought to be complete and comprise a bank up to 6 metres in height with an outer ditch up to 4.5 metres wide. There are also traces of an outer bank. A possible entrance has also been recorded. (8)
The earthworks of Elworthy Barrows hillfort are clearly visible on aerial photographs of the 1940s onwards, centred on circa SS 07123370. The earthworks are as described by the above authorities and have been transcribed as part of the Exmoor National Park National Mapping Programme survey.
A quarry, possibly of post-medieval date, has been cut into the north-eastern tip of the outer ditch, at circa SS 07103383. (9-11)

Details of Longstone on Pastscape

(SS 70514307) Long Stone (NR) A standing stone known as the Longstone 9ft high, 2ft2in wide and 7in thick. No change; classified as Bronze Age by Grinsell.
Published survey 1:2500 correct. (3)
SS 70514307 Longstone, A Standing Stone situated on a flat topped ridge of rough grassland and heather at about 465m OD. It is a tall slatey slab 3m high, 1.2m wide and 0.25m thick at its base. It is orientated NE/SW and an OS bench mark has been cut on its SE side. There is a `trigger’ stone 0.7m high, 0.5m high and 0.15m thick, set against its SE side. It stands in an erosion hollow 3m in diameter and 0.3m maximum depth (4).
SS 7051443072. `Long Stone’ a prehistoric standing stone as described by authority 4. It is shown on Donn’s Map (a) of 1765 but incorrectly positioned on the Somerset side of the County Boundary. The monument is Scheduled: Devon 204, entitled Chapman Longstone (b). Published Surveyed 1:2500 correct.
(Note: Part of the SMR (c) entry for this site is incorrect. Long Stone is not “set in a quadrilateral formed of smaller stones”; the reference to “Plate 3” does not apply to Long Stone; and the barrow referred to is not `Long Stone Barrow’. There appears to have been some confusion in the recording with NMR site SS 64 SE 2). (5)

Details of Stone Circle on Pastscape

[SS 8451 4466] Stone Circle (NR) The stone circle on Porlock Allotment, to the west of the road from Porlock to Exford discovered by Mr. E. T. McDermott, is 80ft. in diameter. The stones would probably have stood originally about 6 ft. apart, suggesting an approx. number of 43. The remaining stones consist of 10 standing stones and broken off stumps, and 11 prostrate stones. [See Illustrations Card.]
Some of the fallen stones illustrated by St. G. Gray have been removed but all the earthfast stones remain. The tallest upright stone is 0.8m high, but the largest stone is a recumbent stone (St. G. Gray’s No. 13) which is 1.9m.long and 0.7m. wide. The mound shown by St. G. Gray at SS 8453 4467 is a robbed and
overgrown cairn. It has a maximum height of 0.4m and is listed by Grinsell as Porlock No. 3. Surveyed at 1/2500. (SS 84514466) Stone Circle (NR) (SS 84534468) Cairn (NR)
SS 844447. This circle was greatly disturbed during the 1939-45 war. Many of the stones have fallen around a 24.4m circle, one about 1.9m at the south south east.SS 84544469. Porlock 3. Mutilated cairn 10 paces diameter and 1 ft high, visited by Grinsell 25th April 1962. Porlock Stone Circle SS 84514466.
This monument is situated towards the S edge of Porlock Common, on flattish ground just above the gentle SW slope to Colley Water, which rises 300m to the ESE. There are views to the S and W across Porlock Allotment.
Of 21 stones in an earlier survey (2) only 14 remain. Seven are standing, seven are fallen. Three stones have fallen since the earlier survey. Most noticeable is the disappearance of five stones from the SW arc. One stone appears to be modern. All are of local sandstone.
The fallen stones appear to lie close to their original positions; together with the surviving uprights they form a true (though not perfect) circle of c24.5m diameter. The majority of the stones are quite small but typical of Exmoor, only the fallen stone reaching unusually large proportions. The standing stones all have their major axis aligned around the circumference of the circle. The status of the central stone, Grays `central picket’ is not at all certain. Central stones do occur elsewhere but are not common (10) and in this case unconvincing.
A cairn formerly recorded with this circle is now recorded separately as SS 84 SW 129. It lies only 20m NE of the circle centre. `Recumbant stones’ NE of the circle (11) could not be identified. There is a general scatter of stones around the site but none which can be reliably connected. (12)

Details of workings on Pastscape

SS 752382. Remains of “early” ironworkings are visible at Burcombe. The iron deposits on Exmoor have been worked since Roman times and a systematic attempt to exploit them was made in the third quarter of the 19th century. (1)

The earthworks of an abandoned ironworking centred at SS753382 are visible at Burcombe located on a steep hillslope and into a deep valley. The origin of the workings are not known but much of the surviving evidence is probably attributable to the post-medieval period. The site is part of the extensive ironworkings which lay down Burcombe valley.

A 1:1000 scale survey of this openwork known as Roman Lode, was undertaken in 1997 by the RCHME Exeter Office. The substantial earthwork is some 660m in length with at least four capped shafts and a number of adits traceable. Mounds of spoil and worked-over dumps survive on both sides of the earthwork.

The survey was commissioned by the Exmoor National Park as part of the Exmoor Ironworking Project. The survey and report are deposited in the Archive. (2-4).

The extensive openwork known as Roman Lode is clearly visible on aerial photographs of Burcombe, Exmoor. In addition, to the north of the openwork a number of hummocks and pits can also be seen. Excavations at these pits as part of the Exmoor Ironworking Project in the early 21st century established a radiocarbon date dating to the mid Bronze Age. It is possible that copper was also exploited here prior to iron working, and if that is the case, it is also conceivable that iron has been extracted here throughout the Iron Age, Roman and early medieval periods as well. Certainly the size and complexity of the working indicate that a long period of exploitation occurred here. The form of the openwork itself suggests a medieval or early post medieval date, and it is likely that the majority of the workings date to this period (5-7).

Details of stone on Pastscape

Standing stone on Hoccombe Hill, SS 77044389. These ground photograph supplied to the NAR. SS 77044389: A slab, possibly prehistoric in origin, is situated on the summit of the ridge from Clannon Ball to Hoccombe Hill about 418m OD in an area of rough grassland. It is up to 0.45 m high, 1.1 m wide and 0.2m thick. At its N end there is a hollow, 0.7 m across and 0.3 m deep. (2)

Details of stone on Pastscape

SS 81164446 Stone. A possible monument, annotated `Stone’ on the OS 25” map of 1905 (a). It is uncertain if this was an antiquity and it has been destroyed. It lay within Stowey Allotment which is now cultivated land. (1)(`Stone’ published at SS 81164446 but cancelled by reviser (not by OS archaeological staff). May still be extant. Two other stones 250m to NW are published on 1:10,000 1978).

Details of stones on Pastscape

SS 73903815 A setting of six stones in Squallacombe form roughly a rectangle of 45 feet NE-SW by 12 feet. The stones are between 21 inches and 28 inches long, and two, one at the E. corner and the one in the centre of the SE side are now prostrate. The setting was discovered by members of the North Devon Archaeological Society. SS 73903815. In 1973 this stone setting comprised 6 stones in two parellel rows of 3, 4 of the stones standing and 2 fallen. It was aligned more or less north-south. In September 1982 Eardley-Wilmot noted that only the 3 western stones were standing. The south-east corner stone was broken and fallen but the stub was still upright. (2) Four photographs of the stone setting supplied to the NAR (3). Squallacombe I SS 73813822.
A stone setting comprising a double row of at least seven stones. It is orientated NNE to SSW along a contour, with four upright stones forming the W row 19.2m long, individual stones spaced 5.8m (F-E) 8.9m (E-C) and 4.6m (C-A) apart. The row is not quite straight, F being slightly out of alignment.
Three fallen stones forming the E row are probably close to their original positions (B,D and G). The stump of G is visible giving a distance here between the rows of 4.7m.
Another two subsurface stones were located along the E row. Their nature and antiquity are uncertain. They are deposited as crosses on the plan.
All the in situ stones except C are aligned across the major axis of the setting. The original layout may have been an elongated rectangle but with stones not necessarily exactly paired stones F and G for instance.
The setting lies in rush and coarse grass on a moderate E slope with clear views from NE through E to S. Like many others is situated close to a steep valley side. The remains of two other stone settings lie close by (see SS 73 NW 32,33).
The identification of four upright stones in the W row is problematic due to the fact that previous fieldworkers have noted only three (in 1973 and 1982 (2)). From an existing sketch plan it seems that stone A is the new arrival, possibly a recent insertion. The erosion hole is deep and its edges quite sharp, which suggests the possibility that it may be a hole caused by the extraction of a buried stone which was subsequently re-erected. Its different alignment in comparison to the other stones is noted above and may be significant in this context (4).

Details of stones on Pastscape

SS 73613800. Stone setting.
A probable setting of two stones, one leaning the other fallen, with the possible site of a third stone represented by a prominent hollow.
A and B are 9.3m apart, aligned NW to SE across the contour. The hole C lies to the NE, 7.2m from A and $m from B, forming a flattish triangle.
The stones are situated on a gentle SE slope on Squallacombe in rush and coarse grass. There are clear views to the E. Two more stone settings lie close, to the NE (see SS 73 NW 18 and 33) (1).
Photography of stone `A’ from the South presented to the NAR (2).
An additional table of information on the stones is held in the archive.

Details of stones on Pastscape

SS 73943820 Standing stones (Squallacombe III).
A stone setting situated on a fairly steep E facing slope above a gently sloping shelf. The site overlooks the confluence of two tributaries of the River Barle to rising ground beyond and it lies on undulating moorland in bracken and reed vegetation. The geology is the Morte Slate Series.
It comprises two low upright slabs 7m apart on an approximate NW/SE axis; no other stones or boulders are visible in the general area. The SE slab remains firmly set in spite of clumsy digging around its base which has resulted in aragged, shallow pit and a low spread soil heap on one side (1).

Details of stone on Pastscape

SS83154732. In 1939-40 a cross-decorated stone of the 7th to 9th century was found in a wood or near the Culbone-Porlock boundary. It was over 3ft long, a slab of local Hangman grit, with an obliquely placed incised ring-cross having a projecting stem. It was re-erected in 1940 at the spot where it was found with 2ft showing above ground. The stone, as described by Grinsell, is in dense woodland at SS 83214736. It falls in Porlock parish but is so close to the
Culbone/Porlock boundary that this would seem to have been mered to the stone. Surveyed at 1:2500 (not on publication document).
SS 83204736. It is speculative as to whether the inscribed cross and circle was removed from the stone row 40m to the north (SS 84 NW 20) for its purpose, as it is very similar in size to the larger stones of that row. ST (should be SS) 832474. Incised stone W of Stent Hill. Scheduled.
A sandstone block, known as the Culbone Stone, found and re-erected in 1940. It is 0.65m high, 0.44m wide and 0.19m thick. A wheel cross is incised on its south-eastern face, 0.11m in diameter and cut to a depth of 0.004m. The lower right arm of the cross has been extended beyond the circle for 0.07m. This extension is wider, shallower and more crudely cut, perhaps it is a later addition. Grinsell (1) has suggested that this is a memorial stone of the 7th to 9th centuries (6). An inscribed cross is also visible on one of the stones of the adjacent stone row (SS 84 NW 20). (7)
Such simple monuments could be assigned to an early date, to the high Mediaeval, or even post-Mediaeval periods. (8)

Details of stones on Pastscape

SS 83274739. An incomplete stone row on Culbone Hill was found by N VQuinnell in 1975 and independently by J E Hancock in 1981. It would seem to be of Prehistoric date. It is situated on a spur at about 380m OD with a slight, false crested east slope. Twenty stones are traceable over a distance of 340m from SS 83274739 to SS 83604738 (seeillust). Fifteen stones are in woodland, the remainder in deep bracken and furze where it is possible some have not been detected. Under open conditions the ends of the row would not be intervisible, but these are unlikely to be the original terminations. The stones are local sandstone slabs between 30cm and 70cm long, 5cm to 20cm thick and 25cm to 70cm high. A common interval between the stones cannot be deduced, but some of them are so widely spaced as to suggestheavy robbing.
For 100m at the west end, the row coincides with the parish boundary although this is described as undefined on OS 25” 1957. The boundary must originally have been mered to the row, but it is most unlikely that the stones are boundary markers. It is speculative as to whetherthe inscribed stone at SS 83204736 (SS 84 NW 15) was removed from the row as it is similar in size to the larger stones. A detailed plan of the stone row is lodged with the Somerset SMR. (1)
Additional Bibliography. (2)
This fine stone row commences at SS 83244738 in coniferous woodland at about 405m OD on the NE slopes of Culbone Hill. It crosses a fenced trackway and rough grass/bracken covered ground beloe the crest of the ridge. It terminates in coniferous woodland on the N slope of Stent Hill about 385m OD at SS 8362 4737, atotal length of 371m. It now consists of 21 earthfast sandstone blocks all set longitudinally following the general E-W alignment. The intermittent and irregular spacing suggests robbing; it is now impossible to know if the row extwnded further E or W. Stones 1 to 17 are almost in a straight line (allowing for minimal movement of some stones) the remaining four curving slightly towards the N stones 4,10a & b, 16 and 21 are broken stumps. The others range in height from 0.2m to 0.62m (an average of 0.4m) they are from 0.29m to 0.9m wide and 0.10m to 0.33m thick (3). A further table of information on the stone row is held in the archive. Stone No 3 has an inscribed cross. The cross, on the upper, eastern part of the northern side, is 12cm high and 10cm wide, with the arms of the cross cut 0.05cm deep. The arms of the cross are not sharply incised, and as such are reminiscent of the crude style in which one of the arms of the cross on the Culbone Stone (SS 84 NW 15) has been extended. The cross is not set vertically, but rather is oriented like an `x’, and as such is roughly parallel with the sides of the stone. This may be because the stone has tilted eastwards. The upper ends of both arms have what appear to be `tails’ or short perpendicular extensions. (4)

Details of barrow on Pastscape

A mound is depicted at SS 8692 4414, but not described, on the O.S. 25”, 1890. Sited in a strip of moorland between two pasture fields. The strip has now been incorporated into the pasture but the mound remains. It is 12 metres in diameter, 0.7 metres high, with no surrounding ditch, and is comprised of earth and small stones, overgrown with turf. Shape, size and situation, on the northern end of Tarr Ball Hill, indicate an unexcavated round barrow. (1)
A mound on Tar Ball Hill at circa SS 86934414, visible on aerial photographs as a low earthwork, may be a barrow of possible Bronze Age date. Just over 12 metres in diameter, it may be part of a small funerary group with three or more similarly sized mounds approximately 200 metres to the south-west. Possible evidence for a surrounding ditch is visible on aerial photographs of 1973. (2, 3).

Details of barrow on Pastscape

(SS 94773705). Tumulus (NR). Cutcombe No 9, a bowl barrow 16 paces diameter and 5 ft high with hollow in centre. (2)
This is a bowl barrow 1.6m high with a shallow depression in its top. (See GP’s AO/65/187/5 & 6). Published 1/2500 survey revised. (3)
SS 94783705. Cutcombe 9. Bowl barrow listed as Authy.2. Visited by Grinsell 10 May 1952. A round barrow lying in improved pasture. It comprises a circular flat-topped mound measuring 13 m north-south by 15.8 m west-east, and is 1 m high. The barrow has been extensively disturbed by animal erosion and has recently been fenced off to prevent further damage. However, the fence has been placed too close to the monument and impinges on the foot of the barrow. (5)
This barrow is visible as a slight cropmark on vertical air photographs and was plotted as part of the Brendon Hills Mapping Project. (6)

Details of barrow on Pastscape

A circular ditchless mound on King’s Brompton Common at ST 01273396 may be a bowl barrow. It is 0.6m high and has a flattened top. Surveyed at 1:2500. (1)
ST 01273396. Brompton Regis 4. Possible bowl barrow. It is a slightly squarish mound which has been mutilated. (2) [ST 01273396] Tumulus (NR) (3)
The Bronze Age bowl barrow described by the previous authorities was seen as an earthwork and mapped from aerial photographs and measures roughly 15m in diameter. (4) The Bronze Age barrow survives as a circular earthen mound 12.5 m in diameter and 0.5 m high. It lies in improved pasture, and has been truncated on its southern side by a track which is also a public footpath. In addition, the summit of the barrow has been disturbed, probably by a ring feeder being placed upon it; this seems to have happened very recently. (5) ST 01263396. Bronze Age bowl barrow. The barrow mound measures 14 metres in diameter and stands roughly 0.7 metres high. Scheduled. (6)

Details of hill fort and barrow on Pastscape

[ST 1602 3912] Dowsborough Camp HILL FORT [GT]
[ST 1590 3917] TUMULUS [GT] (1)

Dowsborough (Danesborough) Camp, Didington, c.340 yds. by 170 yds., the defence is a bank of stones with a ditch and second rampart below, following the natural line of the hill. The upper bank has been demolished for some distance along the S. face from the W. The entrance seems to have been at the apex on the S.E., but here the banks have been altered and the ditch partly filled up. At the N.W. end inside the rampart is a circular tumulus of stones with flat top but no surrounding ditch. Plan. See photo AO/63/374/6. Univallate hillfort (3-15 acres). Scheduled. (2-4)
This is a univallate hillfort with a nearly complete counterscarp bank. The entrance is at the east end. The wide gap in the ditch is an original feature, and an amorphous scatter of stones inside the rampart may indicate that the entrance was more complex than it now appears to be.
Inside the rampart at the north-west is a ditched bowl barrow. The mound is 1.2m high and the ditch 0.3m deep. Re-surveyed at 1:2500. (5)
A plan and illustration of the hillfort are present together with text. (7) ST 160 391. Dowsborough. Listed in hillfort as a univallate hillfort covering 2.0ha. (8) Dowsborough Camp was surveyed at a scale of 1: 1000 by the Exeter Office of EH as part of the archaeological survey of the Quantock Hills AONB. Additional elements include trial pits for stone/copper ore, a charcoal burning platform and evidence of WWII activity. The possiblity of a late Roman/post-Roman phase is discussed in the site report, which contains full details of the survey and a plan (9).The Iron Age hillfort, Bronze Age barrow and some internal features are partially visible, through trees, on aerial photographs.

etails of cairn on Pastscape

SS 97174016. Dunster 1. Round barrow on Croydon Hill at Bats Castle, visited by Grinsell 8th June 1969 when under heath. It is apparently a modern stone heap 11 paces diameter, 3 ft high, but may be on the site of a sepulchral cairn. A mound is shown here on the OS 1” first edition 1809. It is on or near the Luxborough Boundary. (Cairn and human remains found ‘hereabouts Bats Castle’ before 1840. – See SS 94 SE 41 – Identified with SS 94 SE 17, but ?possibly from
this site.) (1 & 2)
The remains of a substantial Bronze Age burial cairn lie on the summit of Croyden Hill at SS 9720 4007. The monument comprises a circular stony mound 14.8m in diameter. The centre of the mound has been disturbed and a shelter 4.3 x 3.5m with an entrance to the north has been constructed from mound material. Much of the northern sector has been quarried away, and the surrounding area shows evidence of stone extraction in the form of pits. The cairn lies in an area of dense coniferous plantation (3).
The cairn is clearly marked on the 25” 1st edition map, and is just to the south of the parish boundary, on the summit of Croydon Hill (4). The grid reference given by Grinsell (1) refers to the area of stone extraction some 80m to the north which, unlike the cairn, is marked on the 6” 1st edition map.

Details of hill fort on Pastscape

[SS 86293758] Road Castle (NAT) Camp (NR) Road Castle, an almost square camp, some distance below the top of the hill about quarter of a mile SE of Exford. The defence on the E, S & W was a high bank of stones mixed with earth, with a ditch below, whilst on the N it was a steep scarp with a ditch below now much silted up. The E side has been destroyed and replaced by a modern bank and hedge, where the entrance seems to have been. (2). Road Castle Camp: univallate hill fort under 3 acres. (3) This is a small, apparently Iron Age, enclosure situated on the highest point at the end of a ridge. The rampart is strong, and it is particularly well preserved on the southern side.Re-surveyed at 1:2500. (4) SS 864376. “Road Castle (intrenchments) S of Lyncombe Wood”. Scheduled. (5)
Road Castle is a strongly fortified site under improved pasture. The bank is 4.5m high on the S, where it is best preserved. On the N side ploughing has masked the rampart, the ditch is slight and two breaches have been made in the defences. On the E most of the defences have been destroyed by a hedge bank which runs N – S across the N part of the site but then turns SE, leaving a gap between the field and the surviving defences on the S and it is probable that this is the original entrance. Visited 30 3 73. (6)( SS 86293758) Road Castle (NAT) Earthwork (NR) (7) The site is within the Exmoor National Park Farm Conservation Scheme. It is now fenced off separately from the surrounding land. Large scale survey is planned during the winter of 1997 as part of RCHME’s East Exmoor project. (12) Scheduling amended. (13)
The earthworks of the Road Castle bank and ditch defined later prehistoric enclosure are clearly visible on aerial photographs of the 1940s onwards. The enclosing banks are up to 13 metres in diameter, defining an almost square internal area of circa 0.25 hectares. The external ditch is only clearly visible on the southern side. No internal features can be seen on the photographs available to the survey. (14-16)

Details of stones on Pastscape

SS 76993838. Stone Setting.
The remains of a stone setting (1) situated about 400m OD on amoderate SE facing slope of rush covered rough grassland. The setting, which does not appear to be complete, now consists of at least 8 original stones (B to D, F to I and K) which form two lines set almost at right angles to each other, C,D,I,K and F,G,H,I (I being common to both lines). Stone B seems to form part of another row on the NW side of C, of which stone A, a small stone almost hidden by the turf, may be a third stone. A similar small stone E may also be an extension of the line F to I.
The monument is sited on a stony slope and there are a number of loose stones which may be displaced or natural litter. A similar number of small earthfast stones, all apparently natural occurences, are also visible.
A backfilled field drain crosses the site from N to S but appears to have done little damage (2).

Details of stone on Pastscape

SS 862410. A standing stone 0.4m high and leaning to the east was recorded at the north end of Hoar Moor in 1981. (1)
A standing stone, at SS 8621 4106, lies in an area of heather and rushes, on a slight south slope at 454 metres O.D. It comprises a sandstone post, 0.2 metres by 0.25 metres in section, and 1.2 metres long with a chisel-form top. The stone now leans to the north east and is 0.6 metres high; a sheep worn hollow around the base has exposed two or three possible trigg stones and few loose stones.

Details of stone on Pastscape

SS80514266 A standing stone and a split fragment from the standing stone 200m south east of the Long Combe sheep pen on Swap Hill.
The stone is a slab orientated north west to south east and is 230mm high, 330mm long and 96mm wide. (1)

Details of stone on Pastscape

Centred at SS 7616 3810 close to the head of Drybridge Combe, is a prehistoric standing stone. It is post-shaped, and is 0.55m high, 0.23m long and 0.16m wide. The stone is situated within a large erosion hollow 2m in diameter and 0.3m deep. Surveyed at 1:2500 scale with Blue Gate Mine complex. This site has also been recorded by source 1a. (1)

Details of stone on Pastscape

A standing stone is recorded by source 1 at SS 7745 3595. At SS 77385 35935 on the crest of the south-east facing slopes of Long Holcombe is a standing stone. It lies within a patch of rushes at 430m above OD; and is 106m south-east of a cairn (SS 73 NE 7).
It is an upright, lichen-covered slab leaning slightly northwards and it is 0.65m high, 0.6m long and 0.18m thick within an erosion hollow 3.5m in diameter.
The stone is probably that recorded as SS 73 NE 18. Despite being some 350m from the NGR cited for SS 73 NE 18, the dimesions are proportionally similar (1.4m high, 1.4m wide and 0.15m thick).Surveyed at 1:2500 scale, December 94. (1a, 1).

Details of stones on Pastscape

SS 790373. Stone setting found by H Pilkington on Horsen on the slope facing Cow Castle. It comprises a small indeterminate group with somestones upright and some lying. Ther are large outcrops nearby. Visited February 1980 by Pilkington, Eardley-Wilmot, and Ian Burrow who plotted it for the SMR. (1)

(Horsen) SS 79063736. A setting of five upright slabs in the form of a four stone parallelogram, with a fifth off centre stone,lies in a prominent position on a very steep NE facing slope. LOcated on a slightly sloping triangular shaped shelf, at 355m OD, the site has impressive views to the NE across the wide and deep River Barle valley to rising ground beyond. The hillslope is on Morte Slates and the ground cover is rough pasture, heather and reed.
The setting is a maximum 9.6m long and 5.5m wide and the slabs are of a sedimentary rock. A recumbant earthfast slab which lies within the setting is most probably a natural feature rather than a displaced upright. Numerous earthfast natural rock slabs and some small rock outcrops occur in the vicinity of the setting; to the SW there are a few small ? stone quarry pits. The two stones noted to the E were not identified.
Two low, amorphous, probable cairns, lie to the NE of the setting. Both are apparently composed of turf-covered large slabs and no constructional features are evident. They have flattish tops and slight off centre pits. The cairn at SS 79063736 is sub-rectangular & approximately 4.0m by 3.5m and 0.4m high; the second at SS 79073737 is sub oval 4.6m by 3.4m and 0.5m high with a 4.5m long tail on the downhill side. Their relationship to the setting is not clear (2).

Details of Horsen Hill barrow on Pastscape

[SS 7891 3560] Tumulus (NR) Exmoor No 19, a bowl barrow 25 paces diameter and 4 ft. high, slight hollow in centre. (3) This is a bowl barrow and is as described by Grinsell. Published survey (1/2500) revised. (4) Exmoor 19. Bowl barrow listed, details as Authy 3. Visited by
Grinsell 27th Sept 1961. Part of group known as “Sherdon Barrows (together with SS 73 NE 5) and so called in Chase records of 1794 and 1819 (a) (5)
A barrow, centred at SS 7891 3560, located on the summit of Horsen Hill. It consists of a grass & reed covered circular stony mound 22-25m in diameter (with a summit diameter of 13-14.5m) and 1.3m high. Traces of an encircling ditch, 4m wide and 0.2m deep, are visible especially on the northern side.
A trench, 3m wide and 0.4m deep, has been cut into the west and east slopes of the barrow. The summit is hollowed, leaving a rim of material around the crests of the barrow scarp. In addition, a narrow, zig-zagging slot, 2m wide and 0.3m deep has been cut into the summit within the hollowed area. It is clear that these features represent a combination of excavation and stone robbing, and although superficially disturbed, it is proabable that most of the fabric of the barrow remains intact. Further slight erosion is occuring in the form of sheep scrapes on the mound. (6-7)
The barrow described above is clearly visible on aerial photographs close to the summit of Horsen Hill. Several other barrows have been identified in the area (see NMR UID 1029500 and 34995) (8).

Details of stones on Pastscape

SS77994256 A stone alignment of three standing, four recumbent stones arranged in three parallel rows. The standing stones are between 120mm and 300mm high, 170mm to 240mm wide and 140mm to 180mm thick. The stone alignments date between the later Neolithic and Middle Bronze Age (c2500-1000 BC). (1)

Details of barrows on Pastscape

[SS 9005 4206 and SS 9003 4200] Kit Barrows [NR] The Kit Barrows are two barrows 185ft apart from centre to centre. The first, is a flattened area of stones about 75ft. in diameter, from one part of which stone appears to have been recently removed. The second, is again a flattened area of stones from which much material has been taken. There are several very large blocks of stone still lying about, some as much as 3ft. in length. Diameter of the area – 53ft. No signs at either barrow of burnt stones – the result of beacon fires (2). Scheduled (3). (2)(3)
Both cairns have been robbed of almost all their material. They are now reduced to slight heather covered cairn rims enclosing patches of small stones, and a scatter of larger boulders. Published 1:2500 survey revised. They are listed by Grinsell as Cutcombe Nos. 7 and 8. (4)
Kit Barrows:
SS 9003 4200. Cutcombe 7. Levelled cairn 17-18 paces diameter.
SS 9005 4205. Cutcombe 8. Almost levelled cairn 25-26 paces diameter. Both visited by Grinsell 25th May 1958. (5)
Two cairns lie on a spur of Dunkery Hill, between Dunkery Beacon and Robin How, at SS 90042 42026 and SS 90073 42077. The cairn to the south (SS 90042 42026) has been severely robbed and comprises a low, heather covered rim 12.5m in diameter and a maximum of 0.6m high. Several large boulders are scattered across the centre, with a recent stone heap in the southern sector of the cairn. A depression to the south of the cairn appears to be a quarry scoop for the cairn material, being very similar to those associated with the large cairns at Robin How (SS 94 SW 2 and 4). The cairn to the north (SS 90073 42077) has also been robbed. It comprises a circular heather covered bank, 24m in diameter and 0.5m high. Three stone heaps lie across the centre of the cairn, which is a flat, heather covered area. An amorphous depression to the S may be a quarry scoop for cairn material. Many small depressions and hollows between Kit Barrows and the track to Dunkery Beacon may be the result of stone extraction. The cairns were surveyed using differential GPS as part of the RCHME Exmoor Project (6).SS 90054206; SS 90034201. Two prehistoric cairns known as Kit Barrows Cairns. Scheduling amended. (7)
Both of the Kit Barrow monuments have been transcribed as earthworks from aerial photographs as part of the Exmoor National Mapping Programme survey. The northern cairn is 23 metres in diameter and centred on circa SS 90064207. The southern mound is 15 metres in diameter and centred on circa SS 90044202. Both mounds show slight evidence for irregular, and probably damaged encircling ditches on aerial photographs of 1964, ranging from 4-10 metres wide.
Irregularly shaped pits or scoops are visible 50 metres to the south of the southern cairn and 60 metres to the east of the northern monument. As suggested above these may be the remains of quarries for cairn building material. (8-9)

Details of barrow on Pastscape

[SS 84003445] Tumulus (NR) Withypoole No. 6 (a). This is a robbed bowl barrow, 1.1m high. (See GPs AO/65/192/3 & 4). Published Survey (1:2500) revised. (3)
Withypool 6. Bowl barrow listed, details as Authy 3a. The mound is truncated and hummocky, and is crowned by OS trig point. Visited by Grinsell 30th Sept 1961. (4) Centred at SS 84003445 on the summit of Withypool Hill is a prehistoric barrow. It is 20.5m in diameter and 0.9m high. Its summit has been disturbed by robbing and possibly excavation: it is now covered by amorphous hollows. A modern cairn has been built on the eastern side of the summit. The southern part of the mound has a break in slope suggesting that the material from the robbing hollows has been dumped on the slope. “Quarry” ditches around the eastern and northern sides of the barrow appear to be recent and either represent robbing, or an attempt to locate a presumed kerb around the monument.
Despite the interference to the monument, no excavation is documented. A nearby field bank forms part of an extensive system of enclosures on Withypool Hill , and might provide a context for the disturbance to the barrow (see SS 83 SW 49). (5) SS 84013445. Bowl barrow on Withypool Hill. Scheduled. (6)
The much disturbed remains of a bowl barrow of probable Bronze Age date are visible on aerial photographs of the 1940s onwards, centred on circa SS 84003445. The diameter of the outer earthwork bank is circa 20 metres in diameter. Within this, a smaller irregularly shaped mound of circa 9 metres diameter can be seen, presumably the modern cairn described by the above authority.
In addition it may be valuable to note that on the 1940s aerial photographs the ground surface is visibly rutted and disturbed probably by military vehicles, immediately around the barrow and for an area around for at least 8 hectares. Less visible disturbance probably extended for a considerable distance beyond this area. (7-10)

Details of Stone Circle on Pastscape

[SS 83833430] Stone Circle (NR) A stone circle (diam 40 yds) on the SW slope of Withypoole Hill, 733 yds ESE of Portford Bridge. Remains consist of 37 stones (3) (but formerly there were c.100) 3.5 ft apart. (see plan) (2 & 3)
The remains consist of 29 earthfast stones set as the circumference of a true circle. The largest stone is 0.7m long by 0.2m thick and stands 0.5m above the ground but the majority of the others are considerably smaller. There is no trace of a bank, ditch, or any other feature associated with the stones. Surveyed at 1:2500. (4)SS 837342. Stone Circle, Withypoole Hill. Scheduled. (5)
SS 83833430. The remains of a stone circle, 36m in diameter are located on a moderate SW facing slope at about 385m OD on the SW side of Withypool Hill. The area, predominantly heather, has been recently swaled so the stones were clearly visible. (see plan at 1:100). It was first described by St George Gray in 1906. Thirty-seven stones out of a possible original total of about one hundred, were planned. Twenty-nine were recorded in 1965 and again in 1978. In 1989 twenty-seven earthfast uprights and three fallen stones were identified by RCHME. Stone 20a may simply be a residual packing stone. The majority of the uprights are about 0.1m high, 0.3m wide and 0.1m thick, with some very small exceptions; stone 26, for example, measures only 0.01m high, 0.17m wide and 0.02 m thick. Only four are reasonably large 2,12,15 and 24 and are about 0.5m high, 0.6m wide and 0.2m thick.
The RCHME plan follows the numbering on the 1906 survey, thus indicating former stones, such as 16 and 17, which are now lost.
On the early plan, two unnumbered hollows were shown at 2a and 31a; they are no longer visible (10).
SS 83823431. The remains of a stone circle standing on the south west slope of Withypool Hill. It is alleged that the circle once consisted of about 100 stones, but it now consists of around 25 upright stones and several fallen ones which remain close to their original positions. The stones average 0.5 metres high, 0.4 metres wide and 0.2 metres thick. The overall diameter of the circle is approximately 36 metres with a circumference of about 115 metres. Scheduled. (11)
Considering their dimensions it is perhaps unsurprising that the stones of the Withypool Hill stone circle are not visible on aerial photographs. However, the site can be easily seen on aerial photographs of the 1940s onwards due to the footpath encircling the site and hollows around several of the stones, eroded by visitors to the site and livestock using the stone settings as rubbing posts. Hints of shadows within these hollows may be cast by the larger stones or simply the hollows indicating their former locations. The eroded path is up to 40 metres in diameter and over 120 metres in circumference. (12-14)

Details of camp on Pastscape

Staddon Hill Camp is a ditch and bank defined hill-slope enclosure of probable later prehistoric date. Two outworks are visible on aerial photographs as cross-banks, approximately 27 and 140 metres to the south-west of the enclosure. A post-medieval field boundary bank, part of an extensive field system visible to the north-west and south-east, runs through the centre of the enclosure and across the inner cross bank. The outer cross bank is incorporated into this later field system. [SS 88183768] Camp (NR) Staddon Hill Camp on the lower slope of the N. side of Staddon Hill, an enclosure with outer ditch and entrance to the W. About 24 yds S. of the enclosure is a bank and ditch running E-W for 90 yds. (2)
Staddon Hill Camp – univallate hillfort of under 3 acres. (3)Hill slope fort consisting of three enclosures, the outer two of crossbank type. Described as a cross bank enclosure. (5)This is an Iron Age hill-slope enclosure with two widely spaced outer ramparts on the uphill side. Except for the western and the southern rampart, which ends near the head of a small combe, the outer ramparts terminate on open ground and not against any natural obstacle. The small bank that Bothamley shows linking the main enclosure with the inner of the southern ramparts is part of a post medeval enclosure bank. (This shows clearly on APs) Re-surveyed at 1:2500. (6-7)A small Iron Age Hill-slope fort on a promontory with associated cross-dykes previously unrecorded (Evidently the two outer banks – See5; but these are recorded by VCH). ‘Threatened’ (by unspecified danger). (8)
Staddon Hill Camp visited by Burrow 30 3 73. The main enclosure and first bank are under bracken, but the surrounding area is under commercial forestry and the outer bank could not be located. (Burrow mis-interprets the OS card, to which he refers, and confuses the description by Authy 6 of the bank running SW – NE linking the main enclosure and inner cross bank (shown on VCH plan), with the outer cross bank. In fact he states that the bank running SW – NE between the main enclosure and the inner cross bank seems to pre-date the latter as it continues SW beyond the cross bank for about 30m). The main enclosure has an entrance on the SW with a slight inturn on the NW side and a low bank connecting the angle of the inturn with the rear of the inner bank. (9)
Whybrow (9) mentions a ‘simple cousewayed entrance’ apparently original, towards the eastern end of each cross bank, that in the outer crossbank being more doubtful. He also notes that in 1965 the area around the outer crossbank had been afforested, some of the trees actually on the bank itself. (10-11)