More information : (SW 38553272) Stone Circles (NR) (Site of) (1) At Suljor (Soldiers Croft) are circles such as are common on Dartmoor and some Cornish moors. These escaped the notice of Borlace (a) and the description and plan describes them as they were six or eight years ago. Since that time some have totally disappeared and others have been plundered for house-building stone. There were measured andthe plan drawn by Lieut. Woodruffe R.N. The circles were not formed by single stones set on end at certain distances from each other, "but by a low continued bank, in some places about 2' high, at others almost levelled with the surface. Thebank was composed of earth, faced with stones of various sizes." It is evident from the arrowness of the foundations that a superstructurecould never have risen more, than three or four feet. The circles intersect at various points, some taking the form of ellipses. The position seems too exposed for them to have been dwellings and thelimited area and rocky nature of the ground make it seem unlikely thatthey were for agricultural purposes. (See illust) (2) Miss V. Russel suggests that these circles were probably part of a field system. There has been some clearance of the moorland but some of the features shown by Buller can still be traced. They consist ofbanks of earth and stones (including some stones set on edge). Although some sections are curved nowhere is there any of the regular circular shapes shown on Buller's plan. It is evident that the banks are merely part of the field system centred at SW 38483267. (3) Approx SW 385327. Three large cicles listed under 'Rounds' (with reference to Authy 2 page 94-5, map). Approx SW 385327. Four hut circles close to 'Rounds', listed (with reference to Authy 2, page 94-5, map and (c)). SW 38523268. Fields with curved sides listed (with reference to Authy2 pages 94, 103, map). (4) SW 385327. Field System on Truthwall Common. Scheduled. Occuping the lower, south-facing, moorland slopes beneath Carn Kenidjack, this field system contains a small settlement of two hut circles integrated into the boundary pattern. The fields are definedby stoney banks and lynchets up to 0.5m high. Above the formal field system in the immediate vicinity of Carn Kenidjack are traces of further, less well defined field (SW 33 SE 47), and to the east a dense pattern of clearance mounds testifies to a phase of unenclosed agriculture. "The whole can be related to various previously recorded ritual and ceremonial monuments of Bronze Age date distrubuted across Truthwall Common and, together, these elements comprose a very remarkable prehistoric landscape". (See also SW 33 SE 39, 47, 59, 122). (5)
In a list entitled "Examples of damage to archaeological sites" it is noted that part of the Truthwall Commom Bronze Age field system is being "broken in" in an area that also contains other monuments. (6) |