Details

The monument includes the remains of a substantial round cairn of Bronze Age
date, known as Deadman Cairn, situated on a south facing slope. The cairn, of
large irregular stones, measures 20m in diameter and stands to a maximum
height of 1.8m. The centre has been disturbed by 19th century antiquarian
excavation, and the stones have been more recently rearranged by shepherds. On
the south side of the cairn there is a second, smaller cairn constructed of
stone and earth 5m in diameter and standing to a maximum height of 0.6m. A
hole in the centre of the smaller cairn is also the result of antiquarian
exploration.

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 the fact that their central areas have been disturbed, the round
cairns south east of Butteryhaugh Bridge survive reasonably well and contain
significant archaeological deposits.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Books and journals
MacLaughlan, H, Additional Notes on Roman Roads in Northumberland, (1867), 62
MacLaughlan, H, Additional Notes on Roman Roads in Northumberland, (1867), 62
Other
NY 69 SW 08,

Source: Historic England