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Viewing swaag.org website implies consent to set cookies on your computer. Full details Swaledale and Arkengarthdale Archaeology Group
Registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation Number 1155775
SWAAG Honorary President:
Tim Laurie F,S,A,

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 *****SWAAG_ID***** 271
 Date Entered 21/08/2011
 Updated on 31/08/2011
 Recorded by Tim Laurie
 Category Ring Cairns
 Record Type Archaeology
 Site Access Public Access Land
 Record Date 15/08/2011
 Location East Stonesdale
 Civil Parish Muker
 Brit. National Grid Hidden
 Altitude #410m
 Geology Calcareous spring rise below Crow Limestone
 Record Name Ring cairn like structure at spring above East Stonesdale Beck
 Record Description Ringwork on sloping west facing ground enclosing a spring rise. The higher eastern perimeter being defined by contiguous stone slabs set on edge (orthostats). The lower western perimeter is defined by a low stone bank which is in part obscured (but still detectable) below the growing marsh. This stone ring is located like a bead on the line of a stone bank which forms the perimeter of a curvilinear stone banked enclosure with adjacent hut circle (see next site record. The enclosure bank abuts and does not cross the stone ring which must surely predate the enclosure. This ringwork has the general appearance of a prehistoric stone ring although since it encloses a spring head this feature may have been constructed to keep stock animals oaway from a source of drinking water. There is the possibility that this ring was constructed to enhance the spring head which may have held some significance as a 'holy well' type of location. The ring may mark the location of a burial. At least two further stone orthostatic ring banked enclosures of similar dimensions and construction are known in Swaledale. First recognised on 15 August 2011 by Norman Mahaffy, Tim and Eileen Laurie and Linda Robinson during a botanical excursion.
 Dimensions 6m diameter overall.
 Additional Notes While recorded seperately, this feature should be considered in context with the adjacent enclosure and hut circle which can be regarded as an unenclosed settlement.
 Image 1 ID 955         Click image to enlarge
 Image 1 Description The general location of the settlement encosure and ring cairn like structure
 Image 2 ID 956         Click image to enlarge
 Image 2 Description The ring work enclosing the spring head.
 Image 3 ID 957         Click image to enlarge
 Image 3 Description The ring work. Detail of orthostats at upper, western perimeter.
 Image 4 ID 958         Click image to enlarge
 Image 4 Description The ring work. Detail of orthostats at upper, western perimeter.
 Image 5 ID 959         Click image to enlarge
 Image 5 Description The ring work. Detail of orthostats at upper, western perimeter.
 Image 6 ID 960         Click image to enlarge
 Image 6 Description The ring work. Detail of orthostats at upper, western perimeter.
 Image 7 ID 961         Click image to enlarge
 Image 7 Description The ring work. Detail of orthostats at upper, western perimeter.
 
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