More information : Scheduled ancient monument No 596. Round barrow north of Conie's Down Tor (1) at SX 58897939 (2). (1-2)
There is no barrow or cairn at or to the north of Conies Down
Tor. At SX 58807914 an elongated rock outcrop 22.5m by 9.0m and
0.7m high has been encroached upon by turf, and may have been
mistaken for a barrow/cairn.
Conies Down has been subjected to intensive peat digging and
on the summit, at SX 58837938 there is an untouched area of
peat, 25.0m across and 0.8m high.
It is certainly not a barrow. On its north east perimeter
there is a cist-like structure aligned northeast/southwest.
The edges of three slabs protrude 0.3m from the turf, producing
a cist plan with maximum internal measurements of 1.7m by 1.0m
with a buried stone which might be a cover stone.
Some points of doubt arise, however. Firstly, the cist has not been
dug out; which is unusual. Secondly, there is a splaying of the
side stones; and although this could be the result of pressure
from the external build up of peat, it seems unlikely. Thirdly,
there is no visible end stone on the east side.
Surveyed at 1:10 000 on MSD and at 1:50.
See ground photograph. (3)
Doubt on the authenticity of this site is cast by Grinsell. (4)
There is no barrow on the summit plateau north of Conies Down Tor. The area has been extensively disturbed by peat cutting, as described by authority (3). The alleged cist appears to be no more than a natural feature, with no obvious mound structure. (5) |