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Summary

One of a group of three. A low, turf covered mound of 24 metres in diameter. Stones protruding through the surface have previously been interpreted as components of a kerb. Condition recorded as stable in 2015 survey.

Location

Protected Status

• SHINE: Two prehistoric cairns to the north of Top Tor, part of a group of four

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: SX77NW7
• National Record of the Historic Environment: 445055
• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX77NW/32/2
• 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, Cairn C (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV345860.

(12/05/1960) Apart from A (MDV7455) There are also another retaining circle and a robbed cairn:
C. SX 7354 7655 A robbed cairn 0.4 m. high, and grass covered, with seven small retaining stones mostly on the east. 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, 1059 (Report - Survey). SDV337078.

Robbed Cairn 'C'. One of group on the north slope of Top Tor. Other details: Cairn C.

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. The northern cairn is a flat-topped mound 10.5 metres in diameter by 0.5 metres high with a few small slabs set around the edge. The other cairn to the south is smaller at circa 7.5 metres diameter by 0.2 metres high and has a circle of ten slabs showing above the turf around the edge. This cairn has been reported to have a stone row running downhill to the north but the few earthfast slabs in this direction are no more numerous than elsewhere on the hillside and this seems unconvincing. Nearly 100 metres east of the souther 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.

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

The remains of three Bronze Age cairns on the northern slope of Top Tor..

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

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

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. A low, turf covered mound of 24 metres in diameter. Stones protruding through the surface have previously been interpreted as components of a kerb. Condition is stable. SX73545 76555

Various, 2018-2020, PALs Condition Recording forms, RT65 (Worksheet). SDV362781.

Visited 15/08/2019. 80% dense gorse. Slight evidence of livestock. Not an obvious feature even though immediately adjacent to the main path. Stable condition. Photo taken

Various, 2018-2020, PALs Condition Recording photographs, RT65 (Photograph). SDV363073.

Visited 15/08/2019. Photo taken showing the dense gorse cover Looking from the south west towards the north east

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV6836 - Rippon Tor Premier Archaeological Landscape survey

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