Monument record MDR3747 - Field, post-medieval clearance, possible cairns and linear clearance, Stanton Moor
Type and Period (3)
- FIELD BOUNDARY (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
- CAIRN (Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)
- LINEAR CLEARANCE CAIRN (Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Full Description
The 'field' first appears in the archaeological record depicted on a location map of numbered 'tumuli' on Stanton Moor as a large rectangular enclosure measuring approximately 100 yards x 50 yards. (1)
Later, some excavation was undertaken by the Heathcote's: 'The outline of the presumed prehistoric field has been uncovered, showing it to be a very wide rectangular line of stone'. (2)
Further reference is made by Heathcote where he alleges that part of the cairn has been 'covered by stones from the celtic field' and also notes that 'stones are built in mound like a wall'. (3)
The same feature is referred to as an 'Ancient field-bank' on a later plan of Stanton Moor. (4)
The bounds of the 'field' were subsequently surveyed as a series of disjointed linear and cairn-like features by Butcher. (5)
During field investigation in 1966 (6) the feature was assessed as an 18/19th century field bank - probably dating from the Stanton Moor Enclosure. (7)
Hart describes the feature as being composed of tumbled walls with a 3m wide gateway at the north-west end, and a gap at the north-east. (8) He also notes that the walled enclosure contains rig and furrow and ascribes a recent date for the feature. (9)
The enclosure is also interpreted as a medieval or post-medieval sheep pound with two phases of construction, defined by massive rubble banks at its narrow end and slight banks and lynchets forming its sides. (10)
Centred SK 24680 62950: FIELD/CAIRNS/LINEAR CLEARANCE
The 'enclosure' appears superficially as a 90m x 50m rectilinear area, bounded by a combination of stony banks, cairns and lychets, is is also stone free in relation to the surrounding ground surfaces. The most substantial boundary to the stone-free area is provided by a single, massive stone bank with an overall length of 39m, width from 1.5m to 7m and average height of 0.5m. Although appearing as one feature, the bank comprises a number of segregated units, mostly at the upper levels where the results of Heathcote's excavations can be seen. (11)
It is possible that the clearing of stone can be attributed to two separate periods of activity, most probably post-medieval clearance; the clearance is possibly related to the creation of ground striations, which may represent ploughing for cultivation or for breaking of ground prior to creating plantations. It is known that some attempt had been made in 'cultivating waste land upon Stanton Moor' in 1847. (12)
No features or boundaries have been mapped in this area of the 'celtic field' since the first OS large scale mapping in 1879, and none is shown on the Inclosure Award map of 1819. (13)
It may be that the clearance of the ground may relate to a temporary attempt at enclosure before 1819. It also seems possible that this activity overlies and partially incorporates earlier prehistoric features such as cairns and possible linear features. (11)
Sources/Archives (13)
- <1> SDR7494 Article in serial: Heathcote, J. 1936. 'Further Excavations on Stanton Moor' Derbyshire Archaeological Journal. Volume 57, pp 21-42. map, p. 40.
- <2> SDR7500 Article in serial: Heathcote, J. 1938. 'Excavations in Derbyshire during 1938', Derbyshire Archaeological Journal. Volume 59, p 83.
- <3> SDR221 Bibliographic reference: Heathcote, J. 1947. Birchover: Its Prehistoric and Druidical Remains. p. 8.
- <4> SDR15299 Bibliographic reference: Thomas, N. 1960. A Guide to Prehistoric England. p. 69.
- <5> SDR13784 Archive: Butcher, L. Sheffield City Museum: Butcher Collection.
- <6> SDR6252 Personal Observation: F1 FDC 16-NOV-66.
- <7> SDR6392 Personal Observation: F1 JB 25-MAY-66.
- <8> SDR19174 Article in serial: Hart, C. R.. 1985. 'Stanton Moor, Derbyshire: Burial and Ceremonial Monuments', Upland Settlement in Britain. BAR, British Series 143. features 87, 94, 95, 104.
- <9> SDR19179 Article in serial: Hart, C. R.. 1986. 'Stanton Moor', East Midlands Archaeology. Vol. 2. p. 18.
- <10> SDR16424 Article in serial: Barnatt, J. 1986. 'Bronze Age remains on the East Moors of the Peak District', Derbyshire Archaeological Journal. Volume 106, pp 18-100. p. 77.
- <11> SDR19168 Bibliographic reference: Ainsworth, S (RCHME). 1987. Stanton Moor, Derbyshire, A Catalogue of Archaeological Monuments, Part 1. Hart: 87, 94, 95, 104.
- <12> SDR2903 Bibliographic reference: Bateman, T. 1848. Vestiges of the Antiquities of Derbyshire. p. 100.
- <13> SDR19178 Map: 1819. Stanton in Peak Inclosure Award 1819.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred SK 24680 62950 (1m by 1m) (Surveyed) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | STANTON, DERBYSHIRE DALES, DERBYSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (1)
- EDR1384
Please contact the HER for details.
External Links (0)
Record last edited
Dec 5 2014 4:40PM