MSO6862 - Beckham Hill Stone Setting (Monument)

The Ordnance Survey 6 inch map shows four stones at SS 8063 4238 [1]. These in fact form part of a setting of at least eight stones, the additional ones being three recumbent stones and a small stump of another. This group clearly falls within the same category as the other stone settings in the area, see MSO7903 for type site. Published 1:2500 survey revised. [2] SS 8065 4238. There are now 7 stones visible, 3 fallen. Probing showed 2 buried fallen stones on the north side, making a setting of 3 symmetrical rows of 3. [3,4] (SS 8063 4238) The 1978 Ordnance Survey Map shows 6 stones. [5] A setting of nine stones at SS 8063 4238 in three parallel rows, 4.5 metres apart, orientated westnorthwest to eastsoutheast. Each row has three almost equally spaced stones about 6 metres apart. One upright slab survives in each row, oriented with the main axis as, with one exception, are the recumbant stones. All the stones are of local sandstone. The setting is within a patch of cropped grass with some rushes. It lies on slightly sloping ground below the crest of the hill, and above a steep sided valley immediately to the north, with good views to the west and north, including another setting 250 metres distant (MSO6873). [6,7] Triple row reduced to three upright and six fallen or buried stones. Upright stones 0.5 to 0.7 metres high. The southeast stone has a letter W scratched on one face. [8] Later sketch plan shows 9 stones comprising 3 triple rows. [9] Then seen as 2 rows of 3 stones with single outlier although probing revealed 2 more making 3 rows of 3. [10] 4 stones standing in 1982 between 0.3 to 0.7 metres high appearing to be similar to a Welsh double row with outlier. [11] In 1991 three rows of three. Five stones have fallen, three are leaning and only one in the southeast is upright. The stones remaining standing are aligned along the east to west rows and the setting is sufficiently complete to show that it originally had row spacings of 4.25 metres and a spacing of the rows of 6.25 metres. [15] Scheduled together with barrow (MSO6876) on 28 March 1996. [16] The Scheduled Monument Condition Assessment of 2009 gave the site a survival score of 4. [17] The site was surveyed in May 2015 as part of the 2015 Exmoor Scheduled Monument Condition Assessment. It was given a survival score of 0. [18] A stone setting comprising 3 regular rows, which once had three stones each, is situated on a plateau of Beckham Hill overlooking a small stream to the north and directly west of the modern field boundary fence. Only 4 stones remain upright, with the others recumbent. The rows are fairly regular with stones roughly 5-6m apart, although the shape of the stones differ. Animal rubbing is evident on all the uprights, but it is not frequent as the turf around the stones is very stable. A very recent quadbike track was discovered on the south-western edge of the setting, leading close to the stones, however, it diverts before it reaches the stones. [19-20] The site was surveyed as part of an academic research project by Dr Sandy Gerrard in 2019. Surveys were conducted using a prismatic compass and electronic distance device with the plan being generated in the field. [21]