Details

The monument includes two stone hut circle settlements and part of an associated field system, situated on the northern slopes of Boswens Common. The southern settlement survives as two stone hut circles built against a field system wall. Both huts are defined by rubble built walls around circular interiors and stand to approximately 0.4m high with west facing entrances. To the west, seven upright stones in an arc are the probable remains of a third building. The northern settlement survives as at least two stone hut circles one large hut with an entrance to the north east stands up to 0.5m high. The second smaller one is closely associated and may be an annexe. Further banks of loose stone in the immediate vicinity are likely to be additional buildings within this settlement which appears to be a transitional form of building style between the Bronze Age stone hut circles and the more complex Iron Age courtyard house type. Associated with both settlements is part of an extensive field system of rectangular plots defined by banks of loose stone up to 0.5m high with higher cross banks and lynchets. A curving boundary has also been interpreted in the past as part of a round but this is no longer thought to be the case.

Sources: HER:-
PastScape Monument No:-424325 and 424485

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. The two stone hut circle settlements and part of an associated field system 370m south west of Boswens survive comparatively well and will contain archaeological and environmental evidence relating to their construction, development, relative chronologies, the functions of the buildings, agricultural practices, social organisation and land division, domestic arrangements and overall landscape context.

Source: Historic England