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Summary

One of a group of three, recognisable mainly by four large in situ boulders which represent the remains of a substantial retaining circle. However, much of the fabric has been removed leaving only a faint, roughly circular earthwork of 9.5 metres diameter. Condition recorded as stable in 2015 survey.

Location

Protected Status

• SHINE: Prehistoric cairn to the north of Top Tor, one of a group of four

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: SX77NW7
• National Record of the Historic Environment: 445055
• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX77NW/32/1
• Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division: SX77NW7

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• CAIRN (Bronze Age - 2200 BC to 701 BC)

Full description

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, 1960, SX77NW7 (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV345860.

(12/05/1960) Apart from A (MDV7455) There are also another retaining circle and a robbed cairn:
B. SX 7365 7646 The southern half of a retaining circle consisting of five stones averaging 0.4 m. high. A 25"survey of these features has been made. Detail surveyed on L.S. Document (LS 25"10/60).

Beeson, M. M. R. + Masterman, M. C. H., 1979, An Archaeological Survey of Enclosed Land in Widecombe-In-The-Moor Parish, 1058 (Report - Survey). SDV337078.

Cairn circle B one of group on north slope of Top Tor. Other details: Cairn B.

Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England, 1985, SX77NW (Cartographic). SDV345445.

Not visible on aerial photographs.

Butler, J., 1991, Dartmoor Atlas of Antiquities: Volume One - The East, 61 (Monograph). SDV299725.

Cairns on Top Tor. Two inconspicuous cairns lie about 80 metres apart beside the track which follows the crest of the ridge on the north side of Top Tor. Nearly 100 metres east of the southern cairn is an arc of three standing and two flat slabs representing about a quarter of a circle. The interior is quite flat except for a shallow trench but possibly the stones originally surrounded a cairn which has been completely removed. Other details: Map 9, Site 7.

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

Cairns north of Top Tor were considered for designation as Scheduled Ancient Monuments in 2004. Other details: Site 37.

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

National Monuments Record, 2010, 445055 (National Monuments Record Database). SDV345861.

The remains of three Bronze Age cairns to the north of Top Tor.

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

Newman, P., 2015, Rippon Tor Premier Archaeological Landscape, Dartmoor National Park, Devon, 48 (Report - Survey). SDV359145.

Cairn north of Top Tor
One of a group of three, recognisable mainly by four large in situ boulders which represent the remains of a substantial retaining circle. However, much of the fabric has been removed leaving only a faint, roughly circular earthwork of 9.5 metres diameter. Condition is stable. SX73652 76467

Various, 2018-2020, PALs Condition Recording forms, RT64 (Worksheet). SDV362781.

Visited 15/08/2019. The best condition of all 3 of the cairns in this area. There are no vegetation issues. There is a small amount of livestock damage around one of the upright stones. Photos X 2 taken

Various, 2018-2020, PALs Condition Recording photographs, RT64 (Photograph). SDV363073.

Visited 15/08/2019. Photos X 2 taken. 1) looking east towards west showing the cairn upright stones and good condition. 2) Showing the livestock damage around one of the in situ boulders

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV6836 - Rippon Tor Premier Archaeological Landscape survey

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