Details

The monument includes a stone hut circle situated near other, broadly
contemporary, hut circles, cairns and field systems on the western edge of
Twelve Men's Moor on eastern Bodmin Moor.
The hut circle survives with a wall of heaped rubble, up to 0.6m high and 1.2m
wide, faced on each side by edge-set slabs. The wall defines a circular
levelled internal area, 8m in diameter, and has an entrance gap facing east.
An ovoid forecourt adjoins the hut circle immediately beyond its entrance,
defined by rubble walling, lacking facing slabs. The forecourt measures 6.5m
east-west by 4m north-south internally and also has an entrance gap in its
eastern side.

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

Bodmin Moor, the largest of the Cornish granite uplands, has long been
recognised to have exceptional preservation of archaeological remains. The
Moor has been the subject of detailed archaeological survey and is one of the
best recorded upland landscapes in England. The extensive relict landscapes of
prehistoric, medieval and post-medieval date provide direct evidence for human
exploitation of the Moor from the earliest prehistoric period onwards. The
well-preserved and often visible relationship between settlement sites, field
systems, ceremonial and funerary monuments as well as later industrial remains
provides significant insights into successive changes in the pattern of land
use through time. Stone hut circles were the dwelling places of prehistoric
farmers on the Moor, mostly dating from the Bronze Age (c.2000-700 BC). The
stone-based round houses survive as low walls or banks enclosing a circular
floor area; remains of a turf or thatch roof are not preserved. The huts occur
singly or in small or large groups and may occur in the open or be enclosed by
a bank of earth and stone. Although they are common on the Moor, their
longevity of use and their relationship with other monument types provides
important information on the diversity of social organisation and farming
practices among prehistoric communities. They are particularly representative
of their period and a substantial proportion of surviving examples are
considered worthy of protection.

This hut circle on Twelve Men's Moor has survived well, with no evident or
recorded disturbance. The presence of a forecourt is an unusual addition to a
hut circle. Its proximity to other broadly contemporary settlement sites,
field systems and funerary monuments demonstrates well the nature of farming
practices and the organisation of land use during the Bronze Age.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
consulted 10/1991, Cornwall SMR entry for PRN 1077.02,
consulted 10/1991, Quinnell, N V/RCHME, 1:2500 AP Supplementary Field Trace for SX 2475,
consulted 9/1991, Carter, A./RCHME, 1:2500 AP transcription for SX 2474,
consulted 9/1991, Carter, A./RCHME, 1:2500 AP transcription for SX 2475,

Source: Historic England