MDE1288 - Prehistoric standing stone on Ilkerton Ridge (Monument)

Summary

A standing stone is aligned westnorthwest to eastsoutheast, following the ridge. It is rectangular with a "chisel" top; a slight lean has reduced its height from 1 metre to 0.9 metres. Its is near Bronze Age barrows suggesting a prehistoric origin.

Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record .

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

  • None recorded

Full Description

Standing stone at SS 7206 4471 on Ilkerton Ridge south west of Hill Cottage, 3 feet 3 inches high, 14 inches wide and 7 inches thick. [1] The stone was 2 feet high in 1961. [2] SS 7207 4474. A standing stone 0.9 metres high, probably of prehistoric origin and classified under Bronze Age by Grinsell [3]. [4] A standing stone of local slate situated on the southeast side of a broad saddle, is aligned west-northwest to east-southeast, following the ridge. It is of rectangular section, 0.4 metres wide and 0.15 metres thick and has an angled or 'chisel' top. A slight lean to the north-northwest has reduced its vertical height of 1 metre to 0.9 metres. Firmly embedded the stone is within a sheep worn hollow 1.8 metres across and 0.2 metres deep with a few loose stones which may have been former trigger stones. Its situation and proximity to barrows, suggests a prehistoric origin. [5] SS 72074474. Standing Stone (NR) [6] SS 72074 44741. An upright earthfast stone as described by authority 4. Still in situ and as suggested probably prehistoric in origin. Surveyed at 1:2500. [7] During a survey in 2003 the stone was said to be in a large active erosion hollow, 1.6 metres in diameter and 0.2 metres deep. Animals are the main threat to this site. [8] The stone was again surveyed in 2012. It was said to be in a fair and stable condition, with two possible triggers stones within an erosion hollow. [9] An upright long stone post measuring 0.83 x 0.31 x 0.11m stands upright on the plateau below Ilkerton Ridge, close to the barrows. There are no other stones in the vicinity following recent vegetation clearance. The stone appears to be in a “very good” condition and has not changed significantly since the last survey in 2012, despite the recent swaling. The only clearly visible threat active at this site is animal rubbing which has exposed some of the packing stones. The recent clearance of vegetation may encourage further livestock grazing, thereby putting the stone at an increased risk of rubbing. [10] The stone is shown and labelled on the 2021 MasterMap data. [11] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [12]

Sources/Archives (12)

  • <1> Article in serial: Chanter, J.F. and Worth, R.H.. 1906. The Rude Stone Monuments of Exmoor and its Borders. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. 38. II, pp 538-552. P. 541.
  • <2> Article in serial: Grinsell, L.V.. 1970. The Barrows of North Devon. Proceedings of the Devon Archaeological Society. 28. P. 123.
  • <3> Monograph: Grinsell, L.V.. 1970. The Archaeology of Exmoor: Bideford Bay to Bridgewater. David and Charles Limited. P. 190.
  • <4> Unpublished document: Fletcher, M.J.. Field Investigators Comments. Ordnance Survey visit, F1, 17 September 1974.
  • <5> Unpublished document: Quinnell, N.V.. Field Investigators Comments. RCHME Field Investigation, 23 November 1989.
  • <6> Map: Ordnance Survey. 1980. 1:10000 Map, 1980. 1:10000.
  • <7> Unpublished document: Sainsbury, I.S.S. Field Investigators Comments. RCHME Field Investigation, 5 September 1994.
  • <8> Report: Dray, K.. 2003. A Condition Survey of Standing Stones on Badgworthy Land Company Owned Land, Exmoor. P. 30.
  • <9> Report: Slater, E.. 2012. A condition survey of standing stones on Badgworthy Land Company owned land, Exmoor National Park. p31.
  • <10> Report: Fuller, J.. 2018. Exmoor Prehistoric Standing Stone Condition Survey: 2017-2018. MDE1288.
  • <11>XY Map: Ordnance Survey. 2021. MasterMap data. 1:2,500. [Mapped feature: #45336 Ilkerton Ridge Standing Stone., ]
  • <12> Digital archive: Historic England. Various. National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) entry. 35376, Extant 11 January 2021.

External Links (1)

Other Statuses/References

  • Devon SMR (Devonshire): SS74SW/44
  • Devon SMR Monument ID: 12252
  • Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MDE20303
  • Local List Status (Unassessed)
  • National Monuments Record reference: SS 74 SW18
  • National Park
  • NRHE HOB UID (Pastscape): 35376

Map

Location

Grid reference SS 7207 4474 (point)
Map sheet SS74SW
Civil Parish LYNTON AND LYNMOUTH, NORTH DEVON, DEVON

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (5)

Record last edited

Jan 11 2022 4:58PM

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