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Summary

The remains of a cairn on Challacombe Down. It is visible as an irregular flat-topped mound with a central depression. It measures 12.8 by 11.8 metres and stands to a height of 0.4 to 0.6 metres. Its edges have been clipped by ploughing. The date and function of the cairn remains uncertain.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1021393: Medieval strip field system, tinworks, part of a prehistoric settlement, a cairn and reave on Challacombe Down

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: SX67NE102
• National Record of the Historic Environment: 915365
• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX67NE/33/3
• Old SAM County Ref: 518

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• CAIRN (Constructed, Unknown date)
• CLEARANCE CAIRN (Constructed, Unknown date)

Full description

Shorter, A. H., 1938, Ancient Fields in Manaton Parish, 185 (Article in Serial). SDV289514.

Dump of stones. Terraces without balks.

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, 1952-1953, SX67NE4, L/map (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV290730.

Royal Commission for the Historical Monuments of England, 1987-1993, Duchy Farms Project Survey Visit, P. Pattison (Report - Survey). SDV350839.

(24/05/1990) SX 6910 7940. Cairn situated on the gentle S slope of Challacombe Down, 240m WSW of Challacombe Farm.
An irregular, flattish-topped mound with slight central depression has been clipped and shaped on its margins by ploughing associated with the surrounding field system SX 67 NE 111; a lynchet ends against the NW corner of the cairn (there is a small patch of narrow rig on the immediate E).
The cairn, measuring 12.8m NW-SE by 11.8m and standing between 0.4 and 0.6m high, is composed mostly of small, hand-size stones with one large boulder on the E margin. Several large slabs and boulders lie adjacent on the SE.
Its purpose is uncertain; siting is quite good for a burial cairn, with good views to the S, but there is no sign of formal construction. However, it is plough-damaged and kerb stones etc. could have been removed easily for use in this well-exploited area. Survival into Medieval and later times could be accounted for by its position on a furlong boundary. Alternatively, it could be a cairn from hand clearance of surrounding fields but this seems unusual on the Down which is largely devoid of them: where they do occur locally they are very small, or informal, random scatters on lynchets. No firm conclusion could be reached (Shorter, A. H., 1938).
Surveyed at 1:2500, plan with SX 67 NE 111.

Griffith, F., 1988, Devon's Past. An Aerial View, 97 (Monograph). SDV64198.

Historic England, 2021-2022, NRHE to HER website, Accessed 31/01/2022 (Website). SDV364039.

[915365 / SX76NE102] Visible on aerial photograph (NMR FXG 5479 Fr 7A,9-10 SX 6879/1).

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV8658 - Challacombe, Duchy Farms Survey
• EDV8423 - Duchy Farms Project

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