Summary

A stone hut circle 320m south west of Mumford Cottage.

Source: Historic England

Details

This record was the subject of a minor enhancement on 11 November 2015. The record has been generated from an "old county number" (OCN) scheduling record. These are monuments that were not reviewed under the Monuments Protection Programme and are some of our oldest designation records.

The monument includes a stone hut circle situated on the northern side of Crownhill Down within part of the Ridding Down coaxial field system. The stone hut circle survives as a circular interior measuring up to 7.6m in diameter defined by an intermittent double faced orthostatic wall which measures up to 1.6m wide and 0.6m high.

Further archaeological remains survive within the vicinity but are not included in the scheduling because they have not been formally assessed.

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

Stone hut circles and hut circle settlements were the dwelling places of prehistoric farmers. Most date from the Bronze Age (c.2000-700 BC). The stone- based round-houses consist of low walls or banks enclosing a circular floor area; the remains of the turf, thatch or heather roofs are not preserved. The huts may occur singly or in small or large groups and may lie in the open or be enclosed by a bank of earth or stone. Frequently traces of their associated field systems may be found immediately around them. These may be indicated by areas of clearance cairns and/or the remains of field walls and other enclosures. The longevity of use of hut circle settlements and their relationship with other monument types provides important information on the diversity of social organisation and farming practices amongst prehistoric communities. They are particularly representative of their period.

Despite some stone robbing the stone hut circle 320m south west of Mumford Cottage survives comparatively well and is associated with an extensive field system. It will contain archaeological and environmental evidence relating to its construction, longevity, agricultural practices, social organisation, domestic arrangements and overall landscape context.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
PastScape Monument No:-439306

Source: Historic England