Details

This monument includes an enclosure, stone hut circle, rectangular building
and `V'-shaped gully forming part of a complex multi-period archaeological
landscape on the western slope of Trowlesworthy Tor overlooking the valley of
the Blacka Brook. The enclosure is sub-rectangular in shape, measures 42m
long by 36m wide and is defined by a 2m wide and 0.3m high rubble bank. Part
of the eastern circuit of the enclosure underlies a later bank thrown up
during the construction of a leat. The enclosure wall is attached to a stone
hut circle which appears to predate the enclosure. The stone hut circle is
composed of a 2m wide and 0.6m high stone and earth bank surrounding a 4.9m
diameter internal area.
A rectangular building situated immediately to the west of the leat
embankment also lies within the enclosure, but is considered to be of historic
date. The interior of this building measures 5.5m long by 3.9m wide and is
defined by a 1.4m wide and 0.5m high rubble wall. A 1.1m wide gap in the
western wall may represent a doorway. Lying immediately west of this building
is a `V'-shaped gully which cuts the enclosure wall in two places. The
northern arm measures 50m long, 1m wide by 0.2m deep and the bank of material
thrown up during its construction lies downslope and measures 1m wide and up
to 0.15m high. The southern arm measures 50m long, 0.4m wide and 0.3m deep and
the associated bank measures 1.3m wide and 0.15m high. Gullies such as this
are generally considered to be drains, although their location on steep well
drained slopes suggests that some at least may have served as animal runs
leading to vermin traps or snares. Vermin approaching their quarry tend to
seek a route that provides visual cover and gullies such as this could have
been excavated to control their movement.
Further archaeological features within the vicinity of this monument are the
subjects of other schedulings.
This monument is in the care of the Secretary of State.

MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.

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.

Lying within the enclosure are two features of historic date. The first is a
small rectangular building. Buildings such as this are relatively common on
the Moor and although establishing their function from field evidence alone is
rarely possible, they are considered to form the major source of
archaeological information regarding historic activity on the open moorland.
The `V'-shaped gully is a feature which has been identified only within the
Upper Plym valley. They are always associated with warrens and therefore may
be considered as a distinctive component of the warrens in this part of the
Moor.
They are generally accepted as being drains excavated to carry surface water
around a small area which would therefore be drier and more suitable for
habitation by rabbits. They may, however, also have been built as animal runs
leading to vermin traps. Either way, these gullies will contain information
relating to the exploitation and management of the warrens within the Upper
Plym valley and as such are considered worthy of protection.
The enclosure, stone hut circle, rectangular building and `V'-shaped gully
410m east of Trowlesworthy Warren House survive comparatively well despite
limited damage caused by the construction of a leat. Together, these features
provide information regarding the exploitation of the Moor at different dates
and form part of an extremely well preserved complex multi-period landscape
extending over much of the Upper Plym valley.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
Gibson, A, Single Monument Class Description - Stone Hut Circles, (1987)
MPP fieldwork by S. Gerrard, (1995)
National Archaeological Record, SX56SE20,
Thackray, C., The Upper Plym Valley: The management of an historic landscape, 1994, Archaeological Site Inventory
Thackray, C., The Upper Plym Valley: The management of an historic landscape, 1994, Archaeological Site Inventory
Thackray, C., The Upper Plym Valley: The management of an historic landscape, 1994, Archaeological Site Inventory
Thackray, C., The Upper Plym Valley: The management of an historic landscape, 1994, Archaeological Site Inventory

Source: Historic England