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HER Number:MDV51503
Name:Cairn on Walkhampton Common

Summary

Southern cairn of a group of four cairns on Walkhampton Common. Measures 4.0 metres in diameter and is 0.7 metres high.

Location

Grid Reference:SX 562 704
Map Sheet:SX57SE
Admin AreaDartmoor National Park
Civil ParishWalkhampton
DistrictWest Devon
Ecclesiastical ParishWALKHAMPTON

Protected Status

Other References/Statuses

  • National Monuments Record: SX57SE147
  • National Monuments Record: SX57SE231
  • National Record of the Historic Environment: 1455640
  • National Record of the Historic Environment: 964151
  • Old DCC SMR Ref: SX57SE/366/3
  • Old SAM Ref: 22275

Monument Type(s) and Dates

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

Full description

Gerrard, S., 1990-2002, Monument Protection Programme. Archaeological Item Dataset., 25/03/1993, MPP 130819 (Report - Survey). SDV277946.

Round cairn forming part of a cluster of four cairns. Mound measures 4.0 metres in diameter and stands up to 0.7 metres high.

Butler, J., 1994, Dartmoor Atlas of Antiquities: Volume Three - The South-West, 40 (Monograph). SDV137656.

Four small cairns close together. One, spread to 5 metres across, has a central hollow but the others (4 metres by 3 metres) appear undamaged.

English Heritage Archaeological Investigation Section, 2007, Field investigation - Walkhampton Common cairns (Report - Survey). SDV256120.

Centred SX56297042 A group of four bronze age cairns located on the lower north-east facing slopes of Sharpitor.
The largest cairn measures 5.2 metres across, up to 0.6 metres high and has a trench cut into the centre from the south side. There are some boulders and stones lying in the disturbed area but there is no visible cist. The other cairns are respectively 4.0 metres by 3.0 metres and 0.5 metres high; 3.5 metres by 3.6 metres and 0.5 metres high and 4.2 metres by 4.0 metres and 0.6 metres high.
They lie in open turf-covered moorland but with some adjacent gorse stands.

Fletcher, M. J., 2007-2008, Walkhampton Premier Archaeological Landscape; Field Investigation Project (Report - Survey). SDV359195.

(30/05/2007) Centred SX56297042 A group of four BA cairns located on the lower north-east facing slopes of Sharpitor. The largest cairn measures 5.2m across, up to 0.6m high and has a trench cut into the centre from the south side. There are some boulders and stones lying in the disturbed area but there is no visible cist. The other cairns are respectively 4m by 3m and 0.5m high; 3.5m by 3.6m and 0.5m high and 4.2m by 4m and 0.6m high. They lie in open turf-covered moorland but with some adjacent gorse stands.

English Heritage, 2014, National Heritage List for England, 1007643 (National Heritage List for England). SDV355683.

Despite evidence for the partial excavation of one mound, the four round cairns 340m ENE of Sharpitor survive well and contain archaeological and environmental evidence relating to the monument and the landscape in which it was constructed. The cairns form an important constituent part of a diverse group of monuments including contemporary settlements, field-systems and other funerary sites. This group of cairns lies midway between two similar sized settlements and they may therefore also have acted as territorial markers for neighbouring communities.
The southern cairn mound measures 4m in diameter and is 0.7m high.
Scheduled 1994.

Various, 2018-2020, PALs Condition Recording forms, WLK-64 (Worksheet). SDV362781.

(25/04/2020) Condition assessed by volunteer recorder as good, although vegetation encroachment is starting to have an effect on the cairns. Cattle, sheep and ponies are free to roam over this ground, but appear to be causing little visible damage. There is a gorse bush growing between the cairns which would be easily removed.

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

Site photographed during April 2020 site visit.

Historic England, 2021-2022, NRHE to HER website, Accessed 13/10/2021 (Website). SDV364039.

[964151: SX57SE147] Four round cairns 340m ENE of sharpitor (citing RCHME NAR Recording 05-MAY-1995 SP Loaring).

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. 40.
SDV256120Report - Survey: English Heritage Archaeological Investigation Section. 2007. Field investigation - Walkhampton Common cairns. English Heritage Archaeological Investigation Report. Unknown.
SDV277946Report - Survey: Gerrard, S.. 1990-2002. Monument Protection Programme. Archaeological Item Dataset.. Monument Protection Programme. Archaeological Item Dataset.. Mixed Archive Material + Digital. 25/03/1993, MPP 130819. [Mapped feature: #32129 ]
SDV355683National Heritage List for England: English Heritage. 2014. National Heritage List for England. Historic Houses Register. Website. 1007643.
SDV359195Report - Survey: Fletcher, M. J.. 2007-2008. Walkhampton Premier Archaeological Landscape; Field Investigation Project. English Heritage. Unknown.
SDV362781Worksheet: Various. 2018-2020. PALs Condition Recording forms. PALs Condition Assessment Project Forms. Digital. WLK-64.
SDV363073Photograph: Various. 2018-2020. PALs Condition Recording photographs. PALs Condition Assessment Project Forms. Digital.
SDV364039Website: Historic England. 2021-2022. NRHE to HER website. https://nrhe-to-her.esdm.co.uk/NRHE. Website. Accessed 13/10/2021.

Associated Monuments

MDV51501Related to: Cairn on Walkhampton Common (Monument)
MDV51502Related to: Cairn on Walkhampton Common (Monument)
MDV51504Related to: Cairn on Walkhampton Common (Monument)

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

  • EDV8351 - Walkhampton Premier Archaeological Landscape; Field Investigation Project

Date Last Edited:Oct 13 2021 4:16PM