MDE20395 - Possible natural stone on Kentisbury Down (Non-antiquity)

Summary

This is "Stone B" of four standing stones on Kentisbury Down. It is possible the stone may date to the prehistoric period but is more likely to be of natural origins.

Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record .

Type and Period (2)

Protected Status

  • None recorded

Full Description

Published stone number 12 ("B") and additional stones in this field. SS 63714398 - B. Recumbent stone. Length 3 feet 9 inches, width 2 feet four inches tapering to 1 foot. It stands in a slight hollow six inches deep. It is situated on the spur of a hill where pits, earthworks, trenches and ancient walls abound. Stone number 12 is of grey quartz,three feet six inches high, two feet nine inches wide and would be conical in shape if set upright. [1-4] B (Number 12) - SS 6371 4401. The measurements given by [2] are correct in so far as measurements can be given of objects of irregular shape. The geological descriptions by [3] are correct. The description of the field contained in [3] is romantic. The walls are as ancient as the Enclosure Act and the pits are disused quarries. The earthworks are probably the result of the upcast from these diggings. The trenches may be light cultivation drains. Apart from this there is a certain "unevenness" about the field which is not so readily explained but it forms no pattern. Some of the stones may have come from the quarries but as no rock face is now exposed no definite decision on this point could be reached. [5] One of three standing stones located and surveyed on field document. [6] SS 6369 4400 - Stone (NAT). [7] B - SS 6369 4400. As described. Surveyed at 1:2500. There are signs that the fields were formerly subdivided. Stone 'B' could be a natural protrusion or a broken off stump. [8,15] SS 63694400. Stone (NAT). [9] SS 639440. Listed as a stone setting of four stones and also as four standing stones. [10] As described. `B', at SS 6369 4400 appears to be a natural grounder rather than an upright stone. If prehistoric, it does not appear to be a setting in the accepted Exmoor pattern, as the group are far too dispersed. [11] One of four widely spaced stones located within enclosed fields of rough moorland pasture. This one may be a bubbly [sic - rubbing?] stone. [12] The stone is marked on modern MasterMap data at SS 6369 4400. [13] The stone is a large irregular quartz stone that lies recumbent in an improved pasture field. The fabric of the stone is unlike most standing stones, and measures 0.1 x 0.6 x 0.38m. It is the opinion of the surveyor that this is likely a natural stone or a rubbing post, but its relationship with Kentisbury Down and nearby archaeology led it to be requested for survey. The sites existence is probably the result of nearby mineral and stone extraction. The stone is well set and stable since the last survey in 1992 and could be considered to be in a “Very Good” condition. [14] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [16]

Sources/Archives (16)

  • <1> Map: Palmer, M.G.. 1936. Annotated record map. 6 inch.
  • <2> Unpublished document: Willy, S. Field Investigators Comments. Ordnance Survey visit, F1, 1 July 1952.
  • <3> Serial: Devonshire Association. 1862 -. Devonshire Association reports and transactions. Volume 69 (1937), 483-495 (MG Palmer).
  • <4> Monograph: Pevsner, N.. 1952. The Buildings of England: North Devon. Penguin Books. 110.
  • <5> Unpublished document: Rigg, J.. Field Investigators Comments. Ordnance Survey visit, F2, 20 November 1953.
  • <6> Map: Large Scale / Small Scale Map Revisers Comment (OS Archaeology Division pre-1983, RCHME post-1983) . SS 6 inch, C Atherton, Reviser, 16 December 1967.
  • <7> Map: Ordnance Survey. 1963. 6 Inch Map: 1963.
  • <8> Unpublished document: Fletcher, M.J.. Field Investigators Comments. Ordnance Survey visit, F3, 23 August 1972.
  • <9> Map: Ordnance Survey. 1978. 1:10,000 Map, 1978. 1:10,000.
  • <10> Monograph: Grinsell, L.V.. 1970. The Archaeology of Exmoor: Bideford Bay to Bridgewater. David and Charles Limited. 189-190.
  • <11> Unpublished document: Pattison, P. Various. Field Investigators Comments. RCHME Field Investigation, 6 January 1989.
  • <12> Report: Quinnell, N.V. and Dunn, C.J.. 1992. Lithic monuments within the Exmoor National Park: A new survey for management purposes by the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England.. Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England. 21.
  • <13> Map: Ordnance Survey. 2016. MasterMap.
  • <14>XY Report: Fuller, J.. 2018. Exmoor Prehistoric Standing Stone Condition Survey: 2017-2018. MDE20395. [Mapped feature: #45473 Rubbing Stone., ]
  • <15> Photograph: Ordnance Survey. 1972. Stone 'B' (Ss 6369 4400) Poss. Natural Protrusion/Broken-Off Stump. Unknown. Negative.
  • <16> Map: Ordnance Survey. 2021. MasterMap data. 1:2,500. 34763, Extant 15 November 2021.

External Links (1)

Other Statuses/References

  • Devon SMR Monument ID: 14257
  • Devon SMR Monument ID: 2045
  • Devon SMR: SS64SW/7
  • Devon SMR: SS64SW/7/2
  • Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MDE1078
  • Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MDE20121
  • Local List Status (No)
  • National Monuments Record reference: SS 64 SW3
  • NRHE HOB UID (Pastscape): 34763

Map

Location

Grid reference SS 6377 4406 (point)
Map sheet SS64SW
Civil Parish KENTISBURY, NORTH DEVON, DEVON

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (5)

Record last edited

Nov 15 2021 5:12PM

Feedback?

Your feedback is welcome. If you can provide any new information about this record, please contact us.