More information : [SS 84304171] Stone Circle (NR)
This stone circle was discovered in 1931. The centre of the
monument is c. 600 ft. W.N.W. of a parish boundary, and the
stones are arranged in three concentric ellipses [See Illustrations
Card,] totalling 13 stones with an outlier (No 14) to E.S.E. (2)
Scheduled (3).
This is a group of 14 small stones set upright in the ground, but
they do not form an obvious pattern. The largest is 0.7m high and
the smallest is only just visible above ground. (See G.Ps AO/65/138/5
& 6). Surveyed at 1.2500.
St. Geoge Gray's contention that they form three concentric
ellipses does not seem to be borne out on the ground, and would
suggest that this arrangement is more 'contrived' than actual.
The "slight mound" shown on St. George Gray's plan cannot be seen
on the ground.
The stones on Almsworthy Common allegedly consist of three
concentric ovals, the outer measuring 34.1m by 28.7m. But of
sixteen or more stones of this theoretical ring only six of the
outer, three of the central and four of the inner circle exist,
a total of thirteen stones with one other 4.9m east south east of
the setting. If the site is truly a triple concentric then it is
unique amongst the freestanding stone rings of the British
Isles (5).
In 1939 PJD Way surveyed the site and re-assessed it as a
rectilinear stone setting, 'perhaps a number of parallel stone
rows', rather than a stone circle. As a prehistoric stone circle
the site is an anomaly and there seem to be insufficient stones
to support Gray's ellipses (6).
Listed as stone setting.
SS 843417. Almsworthy Stone Circle. Scheduled.
(SS 84304170) Stones (NR)
SS 84304171. A setting of 15 stones located on the gentle SE facing slope of Almsworthy Common. The site at 434m O.D.is situated in low heather and possesses good views to the S and SW. The underlying strata are of the Hangman Grit series, the posts and slabs of the monument consisting of sandstone with quartzite veins.
The monument appears to comprise 4 rows running roughly NNW-SSE, their individual orientations varying by several degrees.
The rows vary from between 6m to 9m apart with stones probably originating at intervals of 6m to 7.5m. There is no specific orientation of the individual stones which are apparently staggered from row to row.
There is no indication as to the original length of the rows, the longest remaining, on the E margin of the site, measures 30m. The overall width of the site is approximately 24m. There are no other features visible in the immediate area.
Stone P may have originally been part of this setting.(10) |