Details

The monument includes a large cairn of Bronze Age date situated on the middle
of three outcrops on Simonside hill overlooking the Coquet valley. The cairn
has extensive views in all directions and is a prominent landmark, clearly
visible from the surrounding area. The cairn survives well; it measures 12m
in diameter and stands to a height of 1m. The mound is constructed of large
boulders; many of those at the surface have been moved from their original
position by walkers.

MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.
It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features,
considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

Round cairns are prehistoric funerary monuments dating to the Bronze Age
(c.2000-700 BC). They were constructed as stone mounds 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, 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 and a substantial proportion of surviving examples are considered
worthy of protection.

Despite disturbance to the surface this cairn survives reasonably well and
will retain significant archaeological remains relating to the nature and
duration of its use. Additionally it is one of a group of large prehistoric
burial cairns located prominently on the summits of hills in Coquetdale and it
will contribute to our understanding of prehistoric settlement and activity in
the area.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
No. 2318,

Source: Historic England