Details

The monument includes the remains of a round cairn of Bronze Age date situated
on a high north east-south west ridge with an open aspect to the west. The
cairn is visible as the disturbed remains of a stone and earth mound measuring
13m in diameter and standing to a maximum height of 1.5m. Several hollows in
the surface of the cairn represent the remains of 19th century part
excavations. The cairn is thought to have been investigated in 1884 by G R
Hall, the vicar of Birtley when it was known as Dan's Cairn. The cairn is
situated in an area which was occupied intensively during the medieval period
and the agricultural and settlement remains also visible are considered to
belong to this period and are not contemporary with the cairn.

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 some damage from antiquarian excavation, the cairn 800m north east of
Lowshield Green retains significant archaeological deposits. Evidence of the
manner of construction and the nature and duration of its use will be
preserved within and beneath the mound.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Books and journals
Rome Hall, G, 'Archaeologia Aeliana 2 ser 7' in Archaeologia Aeliana 2 ser 7, (1876)
Other
NY 88 SE 04,

Source: Historic England