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Summary

Round cairn. Mound measures 7.0 metres in diameter and stands up to 1.3 metres high. Central hollow, 3.0 by 2.0 metres by 1.1 metres deep, suggests partial early excavation or robbing. Previously identified as another hut circle (Ordnance Survey), but it is very different in character to others within the settlement. English Heritage Field Monument Warden suggested it may be a prospecting pit, but this seems unlikely as the characteristic crescent shaped bank associated with such pits is missing and it does not appear to belong to any particular series of pits. On the basis of the available evidence Gerrard (1993 visit) identified it is a robbed cairn.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1009093: An enclosed stone hut circle settlement, round cairn, pillow mound and tinworking earthworks 820m WSW of Nun's Cross
• SHINE: Earthwork and structural remains of a section of the late 18th century Devonport Leat running from Raddick Hill to Nun's Cross, including extensive tinning remains at Cramber Tor

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX56NE/123/4
• Old SAM Ref: 24123
• SHINE Candidate (Yes)

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• (Alternate Type) HUT CIRCLE (Constructed, Bronze Age - 2200 BC to 701 BC)
• CAIRN (Constructed, Bronze Age - 2200 BC (Between) to 701 BC (Between))

Full description

Gerrard, S., 1990-2002, Monument Protection Programme. Archaeological Item Dataset., MPP 133247, (Report - Survey). SDV277946.

19/5/1993 (SX59636983) Round cairn. Mound measures 7.0 metres in diameter and stands up to 1.3 metres high. Central hollow, 3.0 by 2.0 metres by 1.1 metres deep, suggests partial early excavation or robbing.
The Ordnance Survey suggests that this is a hut circle, but it is very different in character to others within the settlement. English Heritage Field Monument Warden has suggested that it may be a prospecting pit, but this seems unlikely as the characteristic crescent shaped bank associated with such pits is missing and it does not appear to belong to any particular series of pits. On the basis of the available evidence it seems most likely that this feature is a robbed cairn.

Butler, J., 1994, Dartmoor Atlas of Antiquities: Volume Three - The South-West, 64-5, Map 47, Figure 47.2 (Monograph). SDV137656.

One of ten hut circles of 3.4 to 4.3 metres diameter on the north side of the main enclosure of Settlement 'A' at Newleycombe Lake Head.

Newman, P., 2006, Cramber Tor Training Area Archaeological Field Investigation (Report - Survey). SDV233640.

(01/08/2006) Hut Circle 1: SX 5963 6983 Situated at the conjunction between the large enclosure to the south and the sub-triangular enclosure to the north lies a circular earth and stone mound, 7.4 m in diameter with a central pit 3.4 m long by 2.6 m wide and 0.8 m deep. The width of the banks and their association with the small dimensions of the pit seems to suggest that this is not a Hut Circle but perhaps a cairn that has experienced partial excavation or robbing.

Cartographic Engineering, 2006, Dartmoor 2006 1:1250 Aerial Photography (digital) (Aerial Photograph). SDV345590.

Visible on aerial photograph.

Probert, S., 2013, Cramber Tor Survey data (Cartographic). SDV361430.

Depicted on 2013 survey plan.

Various, 2018-2020, PALs Condition Recording forms, WLK-DT20 (Worksheet). SDV362781.

Visited 12/07/2019. A covering of grass, heather and whortleberry. In overall good condition. Photo taken

Various, 2018-2020, PALs Condition Recording photographs, WLK-DT20 (Photograph). SDV363073.

Visited 12/07/2019. Photo taken looking east north east

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

Hut circle shown on modern mapping.

Historic England, 2021, National Heritage List for England, 1009093 (National Heritage List for England). SDV364016.

A round cairn stands on the crest of the east-facing slope overlooking the interior of the large enclosure, although it is not clear whether it is earlier, contemporary or later than the settlement. The mound measures 7 metres in diameter and stands up to 1.3 metres high. A hollow in the centre of the mound, suggests partial early excavation or robbing.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV7382 - Condition Survey of the Cramber Tor Training Area
• EDV8351 - Walkhampton Premier Archaeological Landscape; Field Investigation Project
• EDV8711 - Condition Survey of the Cramber Tor Training Area

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