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Summary

One of four cairns undoubtedly the result of a relatively recent phase of stone clearance. Their form and positioning does not suggest either a prehistoric origin nor a sepulchral use. Several similar cairns lie on the course of the Great Western Reave in this general area. The proximity to the Merrivale stone rows appears coincidental.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1013429: Three stone alignments, ten cairns, three stone hut circles and a length of the Great Western Reave on Longash Common

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: SX57SE110
• National Record of the Historic Environment: 440342
• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX57SE/283/1
• Old SAM Ref: 24193

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• (Former Type) CAIRN (Constructed, Bronze Age - 2200 BC (Between) to 701 BC (Between))
• CLEARANCE CAIRN (Constructed, Post Medieval - 1540 AD (Between) to 1750 AD (Between))

Full description

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, 1979, SX57SE110 (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV251741.

(04/12/1979) Centred on a NW to SE line of four cairns from 2.7m to 4.0m in diameter and from 0.3m to 0.5m high. Three are separated by 2m to 4m and the fourth and southernmost by 10m which includes the remnant of a reave. All the cairns have been made from the reave by gathering up the stones and all are on its alignment. It seems unlikely that these cairns are the result of clearance simply to form five gaps in the reave and it may be that the cairns have a sepulchral purpose. Found during field investigation. Other details: Photo.

Gerrard, S., 1990-2002, Monument Protection Programme. Archaeological Item Dataset., MPP 133492 (Report - Survey). SDV277946.

(11/08/1994) Round cairn partly overlies the Great Western Reave. Mound measures 4.5m by 3.9m and stands up to 0.6m high. The reave is earlier in date than this cairn, and it is not known whether this cairn is of funerary or clearance origin. The Ordnance Survey however believe that a funerary origin is on balance more likely.

Butler, J., 1994, Dartmoor Atlas of Antiquities: Volume Three - The South-West, 31, Map 44, Figure 44.7 (Monograph). SDV137656.

The small Cairns '13' to '17' at Merivale of between 2.5 and 3.5 metres in diameter by 0.3 metre high are sited alongside and across the reave as it descends towards Long Ash Brook and are merely collections of its stones which leave gaps in its construction on either side.

Probert, S. A. J. + Fletcher, M. J., 2000, The Merrivale Guardianship Area, Walkhampton, Devon (Report - Survey). SDV344969.

(07/02/2000) Four cairns undoubtedly the result of a relatively recent phase of stone clearance. Their form and positioning does not suggest either a prehistoric origin nor a sepulchral use. Several similar cairns lie on the course of the Great Western Reave (SX 57 SE 116) in this general area. The proximity to the Merrivale stone rows appears coincidental.

Ordnance Survey, 2021, MasterMap 2021 (Cartographic). SDV364015.

Cairn shown on modern mapping.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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