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Summary

Possible stone alignment lying to the south-west of the standing stone at Merrivale. Stones are small and identification uncertain. Located within the guardianship area managed by Dartmoor National Park Authority.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1013430: A stone circle, standing stone, cairn, recumbent stone and stone alignment on Longash Common

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: SX57SE9
• National Record of the Historic Environment: 440047
• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX57SE/24/5
• Old SAM County Ref: 334
• Old SAM Ref Revised: 12/01/1996
• Old SAM Ref: 24194

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• STONE ALIGNMENT (Early Neolithic to Late Bronze Age - 4000 BC (Between) to 701 BC (Between))

Full description

Rowe, S., 1896, A Perambulation of the Forest of Dartmoor, 208 (Monograph). SDV249697.

Ordnance Survey, 1962, 6" (Cartographic). SDV66583.

Merrivale. A few scattered stones, purpose unknown (Ordnance Survey 6 inch 56 NE).

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, 1979, SX57SE9 (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV231218.

(20/12/1979) Between 5.0m and 8.0m south of the standing stone, though aligned rather to the east of it, are three equidistant stones from 0.1m to 0.2m high. Within 1.5m of the standing stone is a small slab set at right angles to the alignment.

Gerrard, S., 1990-2002, Monument Protection Programme. Archaeological Item Dataset., MPP 133501 (Report - Survey). SDV277946.

Cluster of small earthfast upright granite slabs. This feature lies within 9.0 meters west of the standing stone (PRN 53395) and includes a number of stones protruding through the turf, the largest of which stands up to 0.35 meters high. The precise nature of the feature associated with these stones is uncertain because most of it survives as a buried feature, but they may represent the site of a second cairn identified in this area by Rowe or may represent part of a stone alignment. Other details: MPP/133480..

Butler, J., 1994, Dartmoor Atlas of Antiquities: Volume Three - The South-West, 28, Map 44, Figure 44.7.6 (Monograph). SDV137656.

A small slab can be seen approximately 5.5m from the standing stone which seems to have been deliberately set and Butler makes reference to the 'tops of several more which can be seen in one or two lines' between that and the standing stone, although he does not plot these stones on his plan.

Probert, S. A. J. + Fletcher, M. J., 2000, The Merrivale Guardianship Area, Walkhampton, Devon (Report - Survey). SDV344969.

Ordnance Survey, 2010, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV344030.

Six stones marked on the Ordnance Survey MasterMap base layer in close proximity to the position of the standing stone at Merrivale. These are assumed to the stones included in the possible stone alignment mentioned above.

Various, 2018-2020, PALs Condition Recording forms, MER-20 (Worksheet). SDV362781.

Visited 2/10/2019. Stone surrounded by bare earth patch within grass cover. Overall condition good. Photo taken.

Various, 2018-2020, PALs Condition Recording photographs, MER-20 (Photograph). SDV363073.

Photo looking 070° showing grass cover and bare earth patch around stone.

Historic England, 2021, National Heritage List for England, 1013430 (National Heritage List for England). SDV364016.

This monument includes a stone circle, standing stone, cairn, recumbent stone, stone alignment and several small earthfast upright granite slabs situated on a gentle south facing slope on Longash Common overlooking the valley of an unnamed tributary of the River Walkham. Within 9 metres to the west of the standing stone are a number of stones protruding through the turf, the largest of which stands up to 0.35 metres high. The precise nature of the feature associated with these stones is uncertain because little is now visible, but they may represent the site of a second cairn identified in this area by Rowe.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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