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Summary

Southern of a row of four barrows on Soussons Down known as 'The Red Barrows' of 20.0 metres diameter by 2.0 metres high with a possible 'cist' and a surrounding kerb

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1021189: Four round barrows on Soussons Down, 960m north west of Soussons

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: SX67NE3
• National Record of the Historic Environment: 442450
• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX67NE/30
• Old SAM County Ref: 890D
• Old SAM Ref: 28696

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• CAIRN (Constructed, Early Bronze Age to Late Iron Age - 2200 BC (Between) to 42 AD (Between))
• CIST? (Constructed, Bronze Age - 2200 BC to 701 BC)

Full description

Ordnance Survey, 1880-1899, First Edition Ordnance 25 inch map (Cartographic). SDV336179.

Southern of a row of four 'Tumuli' shown on 19th century map on 'Soussons Common'.

Baring Gould, S., 1898, Fifth Report of the Dartmoor Exploration Committee, 98 (Article in Serial). SDV337066.

Group of cairns on Soussons Warren Hill described as 'four fine tumuli', although Baring Gould states they show some signs of having been dug into; although this may be in part due to animal burrowing. These features should be investigated.

Worth, R. H., 1903, 22nd Report of the Barrow Committee, 140-142 (Article in Serial). SDV288725.

Baring Gould, S., 1903, Ninth Report of the Dartmoor Exploration Committee, 143-5 (Article in Serial). SDV343488.

A group of four tumuli excavated in 1902. Numbered from south to north:
1. An earth mound 60 feet diameter. Central pit containing charcoal and small flint flake. Cist 10 feet inside north edge containing burnt bones, a flint flake, and a sherd of Bronze Age pottery.

Ordnance Survey, 1904 - 1906, Second Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map (Cartographic). SDV325644.

One of four 'Tumuli' shown on early 20th century map

Royal Air Force, 1950, RAF/541/540, 3148-9 (Aerial Photograph). SDV285230.

Photograph taken on 1st June 1950.

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, 1950, SX67NE3, SX67NE3 (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV288775.

One of a group of 4 barrows on Soussons Down, on highest point of hill.

Dartmoor National Park Authority + Forestry Commission + Dartmoor Preservation Association, 1976, Conservation of Ancient Monuments. The Report of a Working Party, Spooner /Dixon Report (Report - non-specific). SDV248248.

Jan 1976 (J. Turner) Cairn. Not included in Spooner/Dixon report. Marked on Ordnance Survey 6 inch map. Site no.1b in Soussons Plantation, Warren Hill in DNP field report. The most southern of the four. On the west side are the remains of a ring of stones. Reave running east-west at northern end of cairn. Hollow in the centre of cairn, honey-combed with rabbit burrows, heather covered. Has been investigated, not planted over. Present clearance adequate. Five posts ringing south side across ride.

Grinsell, L. V., 1978, Dartmoor Barrows, 155 (Article in Serial). SDV273224.

(14/10/1975) Earthen round barrow with traces of retaining circle. Excavated. Central pit contained charcoal and flint flake. Diameter 20m, height 1.8m.

Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England, 1985, Aerial Photograph Project (Dartmoor) - Dartmoor Pre-NMP (Cartographic). SDV319854.

Visible on 1950 aerial photograph.

Gerrard, S., 1990-2002, Monument Protection Programme. Archaeological Item Dataset., MPP 149030 (Report - Survey). SDV277946.

(03/07/1998) at SX 67707964. Southern of four round barrows on Soussons Down. Diameter 19.5m, height 2.2m. Excavated 1902. Charcoal, flint flake and pot found.

Butler, J., 1991, Dartmoor Atlas of Antiquities: Volume Two - The North, 18-9, 238, Map 24, Figure 24.2 (Monograph). SDV219155.

Red Barrows cairn '1' at SX67717963 of 20.0 metres diameter by 2.0 metres high was excavared in 1902 when trenches were cut at right angles across the centre of the barrow the upcast of which now distorts the southern shape. Some charcoal and a small flint flake were recovered. The northern arm of the trench revealed a circuler 'kistvaen' about 3 metres from the edge of the barrow constructed of small flat stones about 0.6 metres across containing partially burnt bone, including part of a skull, and a flint flake. Part of the perimeter was surrounded by by a kerb of stones. A slight bank with the suggestion of a ditch alongside running to the base of the uphill edge may be a prehistoric reave which may have been aligned on the barrow.

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

Visible on aerial photograph.

Environment Agency WMS, 2019, LiDAR DTM data (1m resolution), 2019 (Cartographic). SDV362956.

Visible on Lidar data.

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

Southern of four 'Tumuli' shown on modern mapping.

Historic England, 2022, National Heritage List for England, 1021189 (National Heritage List for England). SDV364675.

The southern mound which measures 19.5 metres in diameter and stands up to 2.2 metres high was partially excavated revealing charcoal, a flint flake and a circular cist containing burnt human bones and another flint flake. A single sherd of pottery and traces of a stone kerb were also recorded.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV7390 - Archaeological condition survey in Soussons Woods
• EDV7402 - Archaeological condition survey in Soussons Woods
• EDV7431 - Woodland Survey (1989-90) at Bellever, Soussons and other woodland parcels
• EDV8481 - Red Barrows, Soussons Down

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