Details

The monument includes a kerbed cairn situated on the summit of a steeply-sloping limestone ridge, overlooking the valley of an unnamed river leading to Osmington Mills. The kerbed cairn survives as an oval flat topped stony mound measuring 18m by 13.5m and up to 0.6m high. A 5m diameter ring of at least fifteen stones to the east of the centre forms an inner kerb and further stones to the east and north east form part of the outer kerb. The spaces between the large stones are packed with smaller limestone rubble.

Sources: HER:-
PastScape Monument No:-454407

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

Kerbed cairns are prehistoric funerary monuments dating to the Bronze Age (c.2000-700 BC). They were constructed as stone mounds defined by an outer kerb of upright stones or walling covering single or multiple burials. These burials may be placed within the mound in stone-lined compartments called cists. In some cases the cairn was surrounded by a ditch. Often occupying prominent locations, kerbed cairns are a major visual element in the modern landscape. They are a relatively common feature of the uplands and are the stone equivalent of the earthen round barrows of the lowlands. Their considerable variation in form and longevity as a monument type provide important information on the diversity of beliefs and social organisation amongst early prehistoric communities. They are particularly representative of their period. The kerbed cairn 590m south east of Poxwell Manor survives well and will contain archaeological and environmental evidence relating to its construction, longevity, territorial significance, social organisation, funerary and ritual practices and overall landscape context.

Source: Historic England