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Summary

Cairn visible as an unbroken circular bank 11.5m in external diameter. The bank measures 2.4 to 3.7m wide and a maximum of 0.75 m high externally encloses a flat platform around 6m in diameter and 0.5m above the present ground surface. Some small stones appear in the N and E margins of the feature and several larger stones are visible on the platform. There is no trace of a cist, and though the centre has been disturbed the impression is that the platform and rim are original features.

Location

Protected Status

• SHINE: Prehistoric ring cairn and cist with remains of retaining stone circle circa 650 metres south-west of Bellever Tor

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: SX67NW47
• National Record of the Historic Environment: 442648
• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX67NW/254
• Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division: SX67NW47

Monument Type(s) and Dates

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

Full description

Worth, R. H., 1938, 57th Report of the Barrow Committee, 62 (Article in Serial). SDV320309.

Royal Air Force, 1946, CPE/UK 1890, 2465-6 (Aerial Photograph). SDV140289.

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, 1950/1979, SX67NW47 (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV346622.

(01/09/1950) A circular earthen and stone cairn covered in heather. Slightly hollowed in the centre where there are very small stones bared of earth. No sign of a cist. The condition is good. Measures 0.7 metres high.
(03/12/1979) On a flattish spur to the south-west of Bellever Tor is the remains of a cairn, now grass-covered, measuring 11.5m. in diameter and 0.5m. in height. It has a continuous hard packed rim which varies in width from 0.8m to 2.5m., but loose stone within the rim suggests that this is a robbed cairn. (see ground photograph).
Surveyed at 1:10 000 and at 1:2500 for A.O Records.

National Monuments Record, 1977, SX6375, 2/321-9 (Aerial Photograph). SDV346613.

Grinsell, L. V., 1978, Dartmoor Barrows, 150 (Article in Serial). SDV273224.

Site visited on 12th September 1972. Second cairn of the five in 'Black Newtake' to the south-west of Bellever Tor. Diameter 11.0 metres, height 0.3 metres. A truncated cairn.

Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England, 1985, SX67NW (Cartographic). SDV346612.

This cairn is very clearly visible as an area of darker vegetation on aerial photographs.

Royal Commission for the Historical Monuments of England, 1987-1993, Duchy Farms Project Survey Visit, S. A. J. Probert (Report - Survey). SDV350839.

(22/06/1989) At SX 63867603 on level scrub covered moorland is a cairn visible as an unbroken circular bank 11.5m in external diameter. The bank 2.4 to 3.7m wide and a maximum of 0.75 m high externally encloses a flat platform c6m in diameter and 0.5m above the present ground surface.
Some small stones appear in the N and E margins of the feature and several larger stones are visible on the platform. There is no trace of a cist, and though the centre has been disturbed the impression is that the platform and rim are original features.

Turner, J. R., 1990, Ring Cairns, Stone Circles and Related Monuments on Dartmoor, 68, Fig. 25 (Article in Serial). SDV229817.

A50. Ring cairn in 'Black Newtake'. Infilled stone ring 7.3 metres internal diameter with bank 1.2 metres wide and 0.3 metres high. Infilled to 0.15 metres below the bank top.

Butler, J., 1991, Dartmoor Atlas of Antiquities: Volume Two - The North, 52 (Monograph). SDV219155.

The distribution of the surviving cairns on Bellever Tor is limited to the western and south-western slopes. There are ten Bellever Tor cairns. Cairn 4 is a ring cairn, a circular rubble bank about 11 metres across and 0.5 metres high surrounding an interior raised slightly above the outside ground surface. A single slab face the circle 4.5 metres away to the south-east. Other details: Map 27, Site 20, Figure 27.14.

Gerrard, S., 2004, List of Sites Remaining to be Considered for Designation on Dartmoor (Un-published). SDV345444.

One of three cairns to the south-west of Bellever Tor which were considered for designation as a Scheduled Ancient Monument in 2004. Other details: Site 102.

Gerrard, S., 2006, Dartmoor Nationally Important Sites (Cartographic). SDV345607.

Outline shown.

National Monuments Record, 2011, 442648 (National Monuments Record Database). SDV346623.

The remains of a ruined cairn with no evidence that it ever covered a cist.

Ordnance Survey, 2011, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV346129.

'Cairn' shown as a circular feature on modern mapping.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV8640 - Spaders and Muddilake and Smith Hill Newtakes, Duchy Farms Survey
• EDV8409 - Dartmoor Royal Forest Project

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