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Monument Type(s):

• (Alternate Type) LONG BARROW? (Neolithic - 4000 BC to 2351 BC)
• (Alternate Type) PORTAL DOLMEN? (Neolithic - 4000 BC to 2351 BC)

Summary

'Ruin of Druidical altar' broken up for roadstone in 1843 by tenant farmer. Remains rescued by H Hall and piled in a heap.

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds:

Description

(1) 'Ruin of Druidical altar' broken up for roadstone in 1843 by tenant farmer. Remains rescued by H Hall and piled in a heap
1a) Actually from Kelly's Directory of Berkshire and Oxfordshire 1891
(2) Demolition of 'cromlech' at Barton Abbey recorded
(3) Long barrow and broken stones at east end - ?burial chamber
(4) Long mound over 50' E-W and heap of broken stones at east end. C19th reference describes '2 side-pieces and a lintel', probably a simple terminal chamber or blind entrance
(5) Low nearly circular mound 11m N-S by 9.5m E-W, 0.5m high, broken sandstone in centre, vague ground swelling to NW, possible remains of long mound
(6) Oval-shaped, 15.5m x 12m, orientated E-W, highest point towards W end - 1m high at time of field visit in 1970 by J Seabrook. Depression in centre of mound filled with scatter of largish pieces (c.5m across) of ironstone - the remains of the hoarstone"
10) Also work by Rev Jordan (Parochial History of Enstone, 1857, pp 8-9) and Rev Brockes (History of Steeple Aston and Middle Aston,1929,, pp 2-3) (copies have been discarded).
11) Notes from analysis of site and photo log (see MPP negatives) by S Weaver; done during ASP/MPP reassessment of site.
12) Site not recommended for scheduling, so NSR form, as well as AMAC submission form by Steve in DRF.
13) Survey by OCC staff during winter/spring 1977/78 found the following: Long barrow and 'hoarstone'. Broken stones at east end probably remains of burial chamber. About 50ft long. Hoarstone said to have been partly broken up by farmer in occupation in 1843, but stopped by landowner. Associated with site known as Maiden Bower.

<1a> Kelly's Directory, (1891) p.588. (Index). SOX265.

<1> 1852, Gardner's Oxfordshire Directory, p.662 (Index). SOX302.

<2b> General reference, Beesley, Historic Banbury (Bibliographic reference). SOX373.

<2> General reference, Potts MS, Banbury Museum (Bibliographic reference). SOX373.

<2a> General reference, Wing, " Antiquities and History of Steeple Aston, p.2 (Bibliographic reference). SOX373.

<3> General reference, Daniel: 'Prehistoric Chamber Tombs of England and Wales' (1950) p.218 (Bibliographic reference). SOX373.

<4> General reference, Corcoran in Powell (ed) Megalithic Enquiries (1969) p.289 (Bibliographic reference). SOX373.

<5> Field Notes/Field Visit, F Bush (OS) 3.5.72 (Unpublished document). SOX261.

<6> Field Notes/Field Visit, J Seabrook, 9.8.78. See report in DRF (Unpublished document). SOX261.

<7> Black and White print photographs, 1 showing remains of burial chamber taken by Watts in 1930's (Photograph). SOX315.

<8> Additional Information in Detailed Record File, Notes and references from D Benson and brief correspondence relating to Hoar Stone (1992) (Index). SOX258.

<9> Photographic Archive, 2 colour prints of burial chamber taken by Audrey Martin, c.1985. (Photograph). SOX304.

<10> General reference (Bibliographic reference). SOX373.

<11> MPP Documents for Oxfordshire, see DRF (Index). SOX259.

<12> MPP Documents for Oxfordshire, see DRF (Index). SOX259.

<13> Oxford Architectural & Historical Society, Oxoniensia, vol XLIII (1978),p 244 (Serial). SOX284.

Sources

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