MSO8025 - Modern and possibly prehistoric cairn at Bossington Hill (Monument)

Summary

A small modern stone cairn on the site of a possible Bronze Age burial cairn and post-medieval beacon.

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Type and Period (2)

Protected Status

Full Description

SS 9033 4845. Selworthy 1. Probable prehistoric cairn on Bossington Hill, 17 paces diameter, 1.5 feet high, surmounted by a modern stone heap. Visited by Grinsell 15th June 1969, when under heath. [1] A mound is depicted at this location on 1 inch 1809 Ordnance Survey map and apparently named 'Bossington Beacon' - see illustration. [2] A stone cairn lies at the summit of Bossington Hill, close to a path, at SS 90322 48457. It was surveyed using differential GPS as part of the RCHME Exmoor project. The cairn is a modern stone cairn, but it may well occupy the site of a prehistoric burial cairn. A small platform to the east of the modern cairn, 6.4 by 4.7 by 0.5 metres, may represent the remains of the base of robbed out cairn or beacon platform, although the bedrock does outcrop locally. [3] The modern stone cairn referred to above [1-3] is visible on aerial photographs. The cairn is centred at SS 9033 4845 measuring 5 metres in diameter and is as described above [3]. [4-6]

Sources/Archives (8)

  • <1> Article in serial: Grinsell, L.V.. 1969. Somerset Barrows. Part I: West and South. Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society. 113. 38.
  • <2> Map: Ordnance Survey. 1809. 1" 1st edition.
  • <3> Unpublished document: Riley, H.. Field Investigators Comments. RCHME Field Investigation, 1998.
  • <4> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. RAF/106G/UK/1655 4013-4014 11-JUL-1946.
  • <5> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. NMR SS 9048/3 (18047/14) 19-MAY-1998.
  • <6>XY Archive: Severn Estuary Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment: SS 94 NW. MD000133. [Mapped feature: #46798 ]
  • <7> Aerial photograph: 1971. HSL.UK.71-177 Run 91, September. 8680.
  • <8> Verbal communication: Various. 1900-. Somerset County Council / South West Heritage Trust staff comments. 9048, E Dennison, 4 April 1984.

External Links (1)

Other Statuses/References

  • Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MMO216
  • Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MSO11595
  • Local List Status (Unassessed)
  • National Monuments Record reference: SS 94 NW31
  • Pastscape HOBID (was Monarch UID): 36844
  • Somerset SMR PRN (Somerset): 34001

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred SS 9034 4845 (20m by 19m) (Aerial survey)
Map sheet SS94NW
Civil Parish SELWORTHY, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (2)

Record last edited

Nov 10 2020 5:05PM

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