More information : Cairnfield at SX535841 on the North-East slopes of White Hill. There are 19 definite cairns, or 26 if all possible cairns are counted. They form a compact group with outliers to the East and West. The central group comprises cairns of c.5.0m in diameter, immediately to the North of which is an oval cairn 9.0m by 4.0m. The others range in size from 5.5 by 4.0m to cairns of 2.0m in diameter. They appear to be associated with low banks apparently representing a small, primitive field system. Five cairns may be incoporated in this system. (1)
The cairnfield on the NE flank of White Hill is concentrated on the upper slopes with some isolated cairns on the lower E sides. There are a total of twenty two definite cairns, tabulated below, and several low amorphous mounds which may be the result of peat cutting or military activity. With few exceptions the mounds are small with diameters in the range 2.95m to 6.15m and a maximum of 0.7m high. There is no evidence to suggest the presence of cists or kerbs on any of the mounds which also appear free from any unrecorded excavations.
The two low banks closely associated with this cairnfield, on which lie (and into which) some of the cairns have been incorporated, are of unknown origin. They measure around 2.0m wide and remain to a maximum height of 0.35m. Two further sections of bank occur 150m N of these and while not intimately associated are probably parts of the same site. There are no traces or accompanying ditches suggestive of a medieval origin.
It is tempting and not unreasonable to suggest that these features represent the initial phase in the establishment of a prehistoric field system.
NGR DIAMETER HEIGHT COMMENTS
OVERALL
SX5348884064 4.2m 0.4m
SX5350684079 4.0m 0.4m
SX5348784080 4.0m 0.6m
SX5347384081 4.25m 0.3m
SX5345884093 3.85m 0.5m
SX5345184085 4.5m 0.2m
SX5346184070 4.35m 0.3m
SX5354284097 3.5m 0.2m
SX5356784073 5.0m 0.6m
SX5354683976 3.0m 0.3m
SX5358484001 4.1m 0.45m
SX5360584023 3.15m 0.3m
SX5367784032 5.0m 0.4m
SX5364984124 6.15m 0.5m Hollow centre
SX5356984134 4.25m 0.6m Cut by track
SX5360584020 3.05m 0.25m
SX5353484040 3.5m 0.25m
SX5343184053 2.95m 0.4m
SX5351884027 5.55m 0.5m
SX5344484034 5.4m 0.7m Central hollow 0.3m
SX5343584039 5.85m 0.6m
SX5346684049 5.25m 0.5m
(3)
Depicted by Butler. (4)
These cairns lie in open moorland under coarse grass and low gorse cover. (5) |