Details

This monument includes two stone hut circles situated on an east facing
slope overlooking the River Cowsic and forming part of a dispersed settlement
on the lower slopes of Conies Down Tor. Both structures are terraced into the
hillslope and are composed of stone and earth walling. The interior of the
northern structure measures 3m in diameter and is defined by a 1m wide wall
standing up to 0.8m high. The southern one is separated from the other by a
0.6m wide gap. The interior of this structure measures 3.5m in diameter and
is defined by a 1m wide and 0.5m high wall. These structures are situated on
the southern edge of the settlement.

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

Dartmoor is the largest expanse of open moorland in southern Britain and,
because of exceptional conditions of preservation, it is also one of the most
complete examples of an upland relict landscape in the whole country. The
great wealth and diversity of archaeological remains provide direct evidence
for human exploitation of the Moor from the early prehistoric period onwards.
The well-preserved and often visible relationship between settlement sites,
major land boundaries, trackways, ceremonial and funerary monuments as well as
later industrial remains, gives significant insights into successive changes
in the pattern of land use through time. Stone hut circles and hut settlements
were the dwelling places of prehistoric farmers on Dartmoor. They mostly date
from the Bronze Age, with the earliest examples on the Moor in this building
tradition dating to about 1700 BC. The stone-based round houses consist of low
walls or banks enclosing a circular floor area; remains of the turf or thatch
roof 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 and stone. Although
they are common on the Moor, their longevity and their relationship with other
monument types provide important information on the diversity of social
organisation and farming practices amongst prehistoric communities. They are
particularly representative of their period and a substantial proportion of
surviving examples are considered worthy of protection.

The two stone hut circles 675m south-west of Beardown Man survive
comparatively well and form part of a discrete but more extensive dispersed
settlement pattern in the upper Cowsic valley, including two large enclosed
settlements, four small enclosures with single huts and a number of unenclosed
stone hut circles.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
Gibson, A, Single Monument Class Description - Stone Hut Circles, (1987)

Source: Historic England