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Summary

Probable fallen standing stones east of Hangershell Rock, Ugborough. One of up to three stones lying in a direct line which are thought to have once all been standing at this location.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1017611: Two fallen standing stones east of Hangershell Rock

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: SX65NE19
• National Record of the Historic Environment: 441154
• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX65NE/4
• Old SAM Ref: 10549

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• STANDING STONE (Early Neolithic to Late Iron Age - 4000 BC (Between) to 42 AD (Between))

Full description

Worth, R. H., 1940, The Dartmoor Menhirs, 193-4 (Article in Serial). SDV231163.

There are two possible menhirs, on Beacon Plain, 500 yards east of Hangershell Rock. The more easterly stone measures 18 feet 4 inches in length and 19 inches by 26 inches at the base. The other stone lies 57 yards away on a bearing 26 degrees south of west. It is 18 feet in length, 5 feet 6 inches wide at one end, and tapers to a blunt point. The stones are completely isolated on a grass moor, and have none of the characteristics of surface boulders. If they were menhirs they are the largest known on Dartmoor.

Worth, R. H., 1967, Worth's Dartmoor, 267 (Monograph). SDV337618.

Stones are entirely isolated on a grass moor where there are few surface stones and have none of the appearance of surface boulders.

Davidson, C. + Seabrook, R., 1973, Stone Rings on south-east Dartmoor, 29 (Article in Serial). SDV345864.

Three stones on Hangershell Down lie in a straight line (fig.15)
suggesting that they are fallen menhirs. Site surveyed and measured plan published.

Gaskell-Brown, C. + Hankin, C., 1974 -1978, Ugborough Parish Checklist (Worksheet). SDV161354.

One of two large granite blocks situated some 500 meters east of Hangershell Rocks. May be fallen standing stones or stones brought to the site but never erected. This western stone lies 55 meters from the other and tapers towards its northern end. Between the two are traces of two other stones, and the fact that they form a straight line lends weight to the argument that they are fallen menhirs.
This western stone was excavated in august 1968, and groups of small stones were found at the broad end and along the w side as if to receive the stone when it was erected.

Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England, 1985, Aerial Photograph Project (Dartmoor) - Dartmoor Pre-NMP (Cartographic). SDV319854.

Not visible on existing National Monuments Record aerial photographs from January 1985.

English Heritage, 2011, National Heritage List for England, 1017611 (National Heritage List for England). SDV347072.

These two recumbent stones east of Hangershell Rock are considered to be part of a stone alignment, which may not have been completed, the two megaliths are 55 meters apart, with traces of smaller stones between them. The western stone is 6.4 meters long and has a maximum width of 1.93 meters and a thickness of 0.76 meters; the eastern stone is 5.4 meters long and has a maximum width of 0.7 meters and a thickness of 0.5 meters. They lie in an area of grassland largely devoid of stone, and are orientated east/west towards the Butterdon stone alignment 250 meters to the west.

Various, 2018-2020, PALs Condition Recording forms, UG32 (Worksheet). SDV362781.

(05/09/2019) Unable to find these features even with a GPS; area is carpeted with western gorse.

Riley, H., 2021, UG21 heritage asset database and gazetteer of sites (Report - Survey). SDV364699.

Visited on 21st January 2021. One of two fallen standing stones to the east of Hangershell Rock: not located with GPS.

Historic England, 2021-2022, NRHE to HER website, Accessed 10/12/2021 (Website). SDV364039.

'A' at SX 65905932, 'B' at SX 65975935. Two prone long stones. Origin and purpose, if any, doubtful (citing Corr 6" (R H Worth 9.12.84))

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV8770 - Archaeological Survey: Ugborough Premier Archaeological Lanscape , Harford amd Ugborough

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