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Summary

Stone alignment 73.5 metres long south-west of Shell Top with a cairn at the southern end and a fallen longstone at the northern end. This site is on the local list of Nationally Important Dartmoor sites.

Location

Protected Status

• SHINE: Cholwich Town, Penn Beacon and Shell Top Reaves. Earthworks of Bronze Age boundary works with adjacent prehistoric enclosures and hut circles, cairns and stone rows

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX56SE/430
• SHINE Candidate (Yes)

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• STONE ALIGNMENT (Neolithic - 4000 BC to 2201 BC (Between))

Full description

Lethbridge, D. W., 1992, Stone alignment south-west of Shell Top (Site Visit). SDV143122.

Stone row recorded running 1250 feet (381 meters) along the contour south-east of an enclosed hut group MDV 2435. The row is 71.63 meters long, between a recumbent stone, measuring 2.67 meters, and a cairn. 29 stones are visible, the tallest measuring 0.37 meters high. Other details: Additonal plan and photographs in Parish File.

Griffiths, D. M., 1993, Stone alignment (Site Visit). SDV143123.

Unable to identify site on ground during visit on 14/07/1993.

Butler, J., 1994, Dartmoor Atlas of Antiquities: Volume Three - The South-West, 173-4, Map 51, Figures 51.12 and 51.12.1 (Monograph). SDV137656.

Shell Top SW stone row with the upper end at SX59466315. Stone row consisting of 31 stones (from the original 47, if regular spacing is assumed) most of which are lying flat or leaning acutely. The majority of the missing stones are from the southern half and may be buried. At the southern end of the alignment is an oval cairn, the uneven top of which may indicate it has been dug into at some point, although no central pit is obvious. The alignment measures 73.5 meters from the centre of the cairn to a massive fallen long stone, measuring 2.7 meters which is likely to have stood with its broad face in line with the row. The size of most of the fallen slabs (and those still standing), indicates that the average height of stones in the row was around 0.3 meters. The alignment lies roughly parallel with the reave approximately 30 meters down hill (PRN 15061). Other details: Additional map and plan.

Quinnell, N. V., 1995, Stone alignment south-west of Shell Top (Personal Comment). SDV143124.

Unconfirmed stone alignment on Shell Top.

Gerrard, S., 2004, List of Sites Remaining to be Considered for Designation on Dartmoor (Un-published). SDV345444.

This stone alignment was considered for designation as a Scheduled Ancient Monument during the Monument Protection Programme. The programme ended before the entire list of sites was successfully scheduled so this is included on a local list of Nationally Important Sites.

Bluesky International Ltd/Getmapping PLC, 2015-2017, 2015-2017 Aerial Photographs (Aerial Photograph). SDV361462.

Some stones in alignment visible on aerial photograph.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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