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Summary

Nine hut circles forming part of a discrete concentration of structures which together with other nucleations form a large settlement complex. The buildings each survive as a stone and earth bank surrounding a circular or oval internal area. The interiors vary in diameter between 4 metres and 7.2 metres, the surrounding wall varies in height between 0.4 metres and 0.7 metres. Seven of the huts are of the simple plan type, two are conjoined, four have visible doorways and one has a partition.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1015760: A prehistoric settlement complex, length of reave, tin streamwork and stamping mill on the western slopes of Cosdon Hill

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX69SW/52/2
• Old SAM Ref: 28800(P)

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• HUT CIRCLE SETTLEMENT (Constructed, Bronze Age - 2200 BC (Between) to 701 BC (Between))

Full description

Gerrard, S., 1990-2002, Monument Protection Programme. Archaeological Item Dataset., MPP 140785 (Report - Survey). SDV277946.

(1996) Nine hut circles forming part of a discrete concentration of structures which together with other nucleations form a large settlement complex. The buildings each survive as a stone and earth bank surrounding a circular or oval internal area. The interiors vary in diameter between 4m and 7.2m, the surrounding wall varies in height between 0.4m and 0.7m. Seven of the huts are of the simple plan type, two are conjoined, four have visible doorways and one has a partition.
Hut A [SX 62839128]. A 1.2m wide and 0.6m high single orthostat and earthwork wall surrounds a 6.3m diameter internal area. A W-facing gap flanked on the n by an orthostat represents a doorway.
Hut B [SX 62859127]. A 1.5m wide and 0.7m high earthwork and single orthostat wall surrounds a 4.8m diameter internal area. A NNW facing gap flanked on the ENE by an orthostat represents a doorway.
Hut C [SX 62859125]. A 1.4m wide and 0.6m high earthwork and single orthostat surrounds a 7.2m diameter internal area. A NE facing gap may represent a doorway.
Hut D [SX 62849124]. A 1.5m wide and 0.7m high earthwork and single orthostat wall surrounds an oval 6.5m by 5m internal area. The building is orientated WSW to ENE.
Hut E [SX 62849122]. A 1.5m wide and 0.7m high double orthostat wall surrounds a 6.3m diameter internal area. A 0.8m high and 1.5m wide scarp within the hut means that the interior is split-level. This scarp may indicate the position of a partition. This building is butted by a length of enclosure wall.
Hut F [SX 62859119]. A 1m wide and 0.5m high earthwork and single orthostat wall surrounds a 4.1m diameter internal area. This building is attached to one length of enclosure wall and butted by another which leads NE.
Hut G [SX 62869120]. A 1.2m wide and 0.4m high earthwork and single orthostat wall surrounds a 4.9m diameter internal area.
Hut H [SX 62879122]. A 1.3m wide and 0.5m high earthwork and double orthostat wall surrounds a 4.4m diameter internal area. This hut is of the conjoined type and is attached to Hut I. This building is butted by a length of enclosure wall.
Hut I [SX 62869122]. A 1m wide and 0.5m high earthwork and double orthostat wall surrounds a 4m diameter internal area. An ENE facing gap, flanked by orthostats on both sides represents a doorway. This hut is of the conjoined type and is attached to Hut H. This hut is butted by a length of enclosure wall.

Butler, J., 1991, Dartmoor Atlas of Antiquities: Volume Two - The North, 200-202, Map 40, Figure 40.3 (Monograph). SDV219155.

Cosdon Hill south-west enclosure with nine huts is a very overgrown multiple enclosure 350 metres north of the Small Brook group. The circuit wall of the enclosure has disappeared in places and the huts of 3.0 metres to 7.5 metres diameter are no more than low circular banks, although the largest is divided internally.

Environment Agency WMS, 2019, LiDAR DSM data (1m resolution), 2019 (Cartographic). SDV362957.

All but one of the huts noted by Gerrard and Butler are visible on the lidar data, as well as two possible small huts at SX 62819116 and SX 62859122, although these are unconfirmed. Fragmentary enclosure walls also visible.

Ordnance Survey, 2022, Mastermap 2022 (Cartographic). SDV364674.

A group of five 'Hut Circles' are depicted on the modern mapping.

Historic England, 2023, National Heritage List for England, 1015760 (National Heritage List for England). SDV365228.

Part of Scheduled area.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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