Details

The monument, which falls into two separate areas of protection, includes
three round cairns situated on a lower east facing slope of Laughter Tor
overlooking the valley of the East Dart River. The northern cairn survives
as a 6.4m diameter mound standing up to 0.7m high. A number of protruding
stones on the eastern side of the mound may represent a kerb which
survives elsewhere as a buried feature. The central cairn is 7m in
diameter and 0.7m high, whilst its near neighbour is 5.6m in diameter, up
to 0.6m high and may also have a kerb. All three cairns have slight
hollows cut into them, suggesting partial early excavation or robbing.

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. Round cairns are prehistoric funerary
monuments dating to the Bronze Age (c.2000-700 BC). They were constructed as
earthen or rubble mounds, the latter predominating in areas of upland Britain
where such raw materials were locally available in abundance. Round cairns may
cover single or multiple burials and are sometimes surrounded by an outer
ditch. Often occupying prominent locations, they are a major visual element in
the modern landscape. 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. Dartmoor provides one
of the best preserved and most dense concentrations of round cairns in south-
western Britain.

Despite partial early excavation, the three round cairns 960m and 920m
north east of Outer Huccaby Ring survive comparatively well and will
contain archaeological and environmental information relating to their
construction and use. Broadly contemporary settlements lie within the
vicinity of this monument and together they will provide a valuable
insight into the character of prehistoric land use.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
Title: Duchy Farms Survey - Brimpts Farm
Source Date: 1988
Author:
Publisher:
Surveyor:
1:10000 plan

Source: Historic England