More information : Group of standing stones on Great Hetha hill above
Hethpool form a horse shoe shaped figure with its rounded end
towards the NE; there are 2 stones outside of the figure which form
a N-S line tangential to it. Nearly all the stones are fallen and
with two exceptions are between 5'6" and 6'6" high. The northern
stone is practically upright. (1)
The eight principal stones vary from 4ft to 6-1/2ft. Six form part
of the horseshoe, and two are outliers. Some smaller stones and
some at a short distance may originally have belonged to the
group. (2)
NT 89252778. Description of stone circle correct.
The only stone showing traces of inscription is the most northerly
outlier which bears a faint ring mark 0.1m in diameter. To the NW
of this stone are twin earthbound stones, not mentioned, but possibly
associated with this antiquity.
The circle is situated on level pastureland in a valley. Similar
to other stone circles in the region; the feature is probably
Bronze Age. There is no sign of central disturbance. but the
site is overlaid by rig and furrow. (3)
Surveyed at 1:2500. See enlarged sketch. (4)
A horseshoe or oval of unshaped stones, with a northeast-southwest
axis, standing on a level knoll. All the stones are toppled. It's
condition is of "uncertain status" and it is listed as having cup and
ring markings. The stones considered to be outliers are doubtfully
associated. (5)
NT 8926 2783. Hethpool stone circles. Scheduled RSM No 24584.
Two stone circles located on a gravel terrace at the head of the
College Valley. The visible stones form a ruinous circle to the S
whilst a group of outlying stones lie to the N. At least seven
stones are recumbent. A further six stones associated with the N
group have been located below ground by probing. The evidence thus
acquired suggests that the monumnt originally took the form of two
closely spaced stone circles. The maximum height of the stones is
1m and several of them exhibit small chock stones wedged around
their bases in order to keep them upright. This would suggest that
they are still in their original position. The S circle has a
diameter of 61m by 42.7m with an average interval of 16m-20m between
each stone, including those found by probing. The N group measures
about 60m by 45m. The whole site is overlain by ridge and furrow,
and many of the stones may have been disturbed during this phase of
medieval cultivation. (6)
NT 892 278. Hethpool. A problematical site. All the blocks are fallen
except for one at the S that leans. Eight stones measure between
1.7m and 2m in length. There are others, half-buried, to the NE.
The ground has been so disturbed by ploughing that nothing of the
form can be certain, but a survey by Peter Topping (7a) indicates
that there may have been two rings here, a N one so damaged that
no dimensions can be recovered and a S, 64m away, measuring 61m by
42.7m. This would be one of the largest rings in N Britain. It is
interesting, therefore, that it is only four miles W of the group
of Milfield henges. (7)
Some of the larger standing stones are visible in lidar and aerial photographs and were mapped as part of the Northern Cheviots Aerial Investigation and Mapping Project (8, 9)
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