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HER Number:MDV3348
Name:Cairn west of Shavercombe Tor, Shaugh Prior

Summary

Cairn '2' (Butler) is one of four cairns in a row to the west of Shavercombe Tor of 6.9 metres diameter by 0.4 metres high

Location

Grid Reference:SX 592 661
Map Sheet:SX56NE
Admin AreaDartmoor National Park
Civil ParishShaugh Prior
DistrictSouth Hams
Ecclesiastical ParishSHAUGH PRIOR

Protected Status

Other References/Statuses

  • National Monuments Record: SX56NE298
  • National Monuments Record: SX56NE98?
  • National Record of the Historic Environment: 1356297
  • Old SAM County Ref: 497A
  • Old SAM Ref Revised: 24230(P)
  • Old SAM Ref: 10670

Monument Type(s) and Dates

  • CAIRN (Constructed, Bronze Age - 2200 BC to 701 BC (Between))

Full description

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, 1950/1979, SX56NE98, (1950: Cairn B) (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV149115.

(19/05/1950) SX 5928 6615. Cairn B. These cairns are composed of smaller stones than is normally found in the Dartmoor cairns. Cairn 'B' height 0.3 metres, diameter 7.0 metres. Hollow in centre.

Ordnance Survey, 1953-1969, 1953-1969 National Grid OS A edition imperial, (1954) (Cartographic). SDV352727.

(SX 59296614) & (SX 59346615) Cairns (NR).

Grinsell, L. V., 1978, Dartmoor Barrows, 163 (Article in Serial). SDV273224.

Visited on 8th June 1974. Cairn with flat interior, or hut circle? diameter 13.0 metres, height 0.6 metres.

Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England, 1985, Aerial Photograph Project (Dartmoor) - Dartmoor Pre-NMP (Cartographic). SDV319854.

Not visible on 1946 aerial photographs.

Gerrard, S., 1990-2002, Monument Protection Programme. Archaeological Item Dataset., MPP 140469, (Report - Survey). SDV277946.

(03/05/1995) SX59306614 Cairn measures 6.7m by 6.3m and stands up to 0.6m high. A slight rubble filled oval hollow in the centre of the mound, 4m by 2m by 0.1m deep, represents the site of robbing or a partial early excavation.
There appears to be some confusion concerning the identity of this feature. The National Trust Upper Plym Inventory reports that the Ordnance Survey consider this to be a cairn, although the national archaeological record notes that they are more likely to be huts. Grinsell and Butler consider it most likely to be a cairn; an interpretation which on the basis of field evidence alone the MPP archaeologist agrees with. This cairn forms part of a round cairn cemetery which includes at least 5 mounds scattered amongst stone hut circles.

Butler, J., 1994, Dartmoor Atlas of Antiquities: Volume Three - The South-West, 123-4, Map 49, Figure 49.9 (Monograph). SDV137656.

Shavercombe Tor '2' cairn at SX59306614 of 6.9 metres diameter by 0.4 metres high is one of four cairns spaced along the hillside on the south side of the field boundary between the enclosures.

Robertson, J. G., 1994, The Archaeology of the Upper Plym Valley (Post-Graduate Thesis). SDV139549.

Thackray, C., 1994, The Upper Plym Valley: the management of an historic landscape, 259/102.948. (Report - non-specific). SDV143510.

Probert, S. A. J. + Fletcher, M. J., 2002, Plym Valley survey (Report - Survey). SDV350782.

(15/01/2002) One of a cluster of five prehistoric cairns (centred at SX 5929 6616) on the gently sloping northern flank of Shavercombe Tor.
SX 5930 6614.Measuring 7.0m north-south by 6.4m and 0.7m high the top of this feature has been disturbed to expose its stony fabric.
None of the cairns display any evidence of cists or kerbs.
Several of these features have previously been recorded as hut circles (see SX 56 NE 97) or included with record SX 56 NE 98.

English Heritage, 2005-2008, Prehistoric Survey Information (Cartographic). SDV345521.

Cairn shown on survey.

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

Visible on aerial photograph.

Various, 2018-2020, PALs Condition Recording forms, upht-36 (Worksheet). SDV362781.

(24/03/2020) Condition of cairn assessed as very good. Site little visited and area is lightly grazed, no damage evident. Site is stable.

Various, 2018-2020, PALs Condition Recording photographs (Photograph). SDV363073.

Photographed during March 2020 visit.

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

Hut circle shown on modern mapping.

Historic England, 2021, National Heritage List for England, 1019082 (National Heritage List for England). SDV364016.

This monument includes extensive prehistoric and historic archaeological monuments situated within Hentor Warren, which lies between the Shavercombe and Hentor Brooks. The prehistoric archaeology includes three partially enclosed stone hut circle settlements, ten round cairns, one ring cairn, four cists, part of the Willings Walls Reave and a cairnfield. A round cairn cemetery centred on SX59306614 lies amongst a cluster of stone hut circles. Cairn diameter 8 metres, height 0.6 metres, with central hollow.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV137656Monograph: Butler, J.. 1994. Dartmoor Atlas of Antiquities: Volume Three - The South-West. Dartmoor Atlas of Antiquities: Volume Three - The South-West. Three. Paperback Volume. 123-4, Map 49, Figure 49.9.
SDV139549Post-Graduate Thesis: Robertson, J. G.. 1994. The Archaeology of the Upper Plym Valley. Edinburgh University. Unknown.
SDV143510Report - non-specific: Thackray, C.. 1994. The Upper Plym Valley: the management of an historic landscape. 259/102.948..
SDV149115Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card: Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division. 1950/1979. SX56NE98. Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card. Card Index. (1950: Cairn B).
SDV273224Article in Serial: Grinsell, L. V.. 1978. Dartmoor Barrows. Proceedings of the Devon Archaeological Society. 36. A5 Paperback. 163.
SDV277946Report - Survey: Gerrard, S.. 1990-2002. Monument Protection Programme. Archaeological Item Dataset.. Monument Protection Programme. Archaeological Item Dataset.. Mixed Archive Material + Digital. MPP 140469,.
SDV319854Cartographic: Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England. 1985. Aerial Photograph Project (Dartmoor) - Dartmoor Pre-NMP. Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England Aerial Photograph P. Cartographic.
SDV345521Cartographic: English Heritage. 2005-2008. Prehistoric Survey Information. English Heritage. Digital.
SDV350782Report - Survey: Probert, S. A. J. + Fletcher, M. J.. 2002. Plym Valley survey. English Heritage Archaeological Investigation Report. Unknown.
SDV352727Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 1953-1969. 1953-1969 National Grid OS A edition imperial. Digital Mapping. Digital. (1954).
SDV361462Aerial Photograph: Bluesky International Ltd/Getmapping PLC. 2015-2017. 2015-2017 Aerial Photographs. Bluesky International Ltd/Getmapping PLC. Photograph (Digital). [Mapped feature: #121989 ]
SDV362781Worksheet: Various. 2018-2020. PALs Condition Recording forms. PALs Condition Assessment Project Forms. Digital. upht-36.
SDV363073Photograph: Various. 2018-2020. PALs Condition Recording photographs. PALs Condition Assessment Project Forms. Digital.
SDV364015Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 2021. MasterMap 2021. Ordnance Survey Digital Mapping. Digital.
SDV364016National Heritage List for England: Historic England. 2021. National Heritage List for England. Digital. 1019082.

Associated Monuments

MDV3349Related to: Cairn '1' west of Shavercombe Tor, Shaugh Prior (Monument)
MDV55476Related to: Cairn '3' to the west of Shavercombe Tor, Shaugh Prior (Monument)
MDV130770Related to: Cairn '4' west of Shavercombe Tor, Shaugh Prior (Monument)
MDV129291Related to: Small cairn on Shavercombe Tor, Shaugh Prior (Monument)

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

  • EDV8148 - The Upper Plym Valley: The Management of an Historic Landscape
  • EDV8155 - Plym Valley Survey

Date Last Edited:Jul 2 2021 11:35AM