Details

The monument comprises a well-preserved stone hut circle on the slope of Carne
Down on the NE edge of Bodmin Moor.
The hut circle survives as a circular wall, 2-2.5m wide and 0.5m high, with a
core of small boulders and stone rubble, faced on each side with upright
slabs, enclosing an internal area 6.5m in diameter. The interior is levelled
into the hill-slope such that the upper, east, side is 0.5m below the
surrounding ground level. A break 0.5m wide in the SW part of the wall's
circuit marks the location of the hut circle's entrance. This hut circle has
not been excavated and appears complete and intact, with no evidence for any
previous disturbance. It is an isolated hut circle situated on the upper W-
facing slope of Carne Down in an area containing the fragmentary remains of a
Prehistoric field system, whose partial re-use during the medieval period
produced plough-ridges on the slope below the level of the monument. Another
isolated hut circle, partly damaged and not included in the scheduling, is
located 90m to the SW, a well-preserved field system with hut circles and
settlements is situated on the SE and NE slopes of Carne Down, and two
funerary cairns of similar date also occur nearby, on the summit of Carne
Down.

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
quality and diversity of the evidence is such that the Moor has been the
subject of detailed archaeological survey and hence it forms one of the best
recorded upland landscapes in England. Of particular note are the extensive
relict landscapes of Prehistoric, medieval and post-medieval date. Together
these 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 Bodmin
Moor, mostly dating from the Bronze Age. The stone-based round houses consist
of low walls or banks enclosing a circular floor area; remains of a turf or
thatch roof are not preserved. The huts may 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 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. The hut circle on
the W slope of Carne Down survives well and in close association with
other contemporary settlement and funerary monuments.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
consulted 2/1991, Carter, A/RCHME, Air Photo Transcription: SX 1981,
consulted 2/1991, Cornwall SMR entry for PRN 3544.2,

Source: Historic England