Looking north eastward along the row of fallen stones (Scale 1m).
A combination single and double stone row measuring 84.5m long, including 24 recumbent stones of different sizes situated on a ridge summit. The row is orientated north east to south west and is in the vicinity of six stone rows and several cairns.
Location
| England Devon Dartmoor SX 65733 60429 Lat 50.42826283 Long -3.89174859 |
Map showing the location of Glasscombe Ball, North stone row.
Simplified plan of the Glasscombe Ball, North stone alignment (Source: Butler, J., 1993, 97).
Characteristics
| Type: Single? | Length: 84.5m |
| No. of stones: 24 | Size of stones: Small, medium and large |
| Orientation: 41° | Altitude: 360m |
| Upper end: Cairn | Lower end: – |
| Straight (Yes or No) : No | Sea View: Yes |
| Context: Cairns and stone alignment | |
| Notes: Every stone is recumbent. | |
Other Information
| Public Access: Yes |
| Land Status: National Park |
| Scheduled Ancient Monument: Yes |
Identification
Category: Plausible. No doubts have been expressed regarding the prehistoric interpretation of this row.
Photographs
Every single stone within this alignment is recumbent. This implies that the stones have been systematically felled or were poorly erected in the first place. View from the north east (Scale 1m).
Stones forming a sinuous line leading towards a cairn. It is unclear whether this row was originally of the single or double type. Many stones may be buried beneath the peat. View from south west (Scale 1m).
The central part of the row. View from the west (Scale 1m).
Landscape Comment
Widespread views to the east and south west are available from this row. To the east slivers of sea are visible at the limit of visibility whilst to the south west a number promontories, Plymouth Sound and nearby cairns.
There are widespread views to the east from the row.
Cairns on Butterdon Hill and Hangershell Rock are at the limit of near visibility.
Plymouth Sound and the sea are visible from the row.
Although not visible at the time of the visit the south coast of Cornwall should be visible on a clear day.
Access Information
Car parking is available at SX 64338 59550. Follow the bridleway heading east to SX 65769 59963 where the track of a disused railway line is encountered. Follow this north to SX 65716 60429. The row is situated close to this point. A visit to this row should be combined with others in the vicinity.
Online Resources
Megalithic Portal Modern Antiquarian PastScape Historic Environment Record
Prehistoric Monuments of Dartmoor Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks
Other References
Burl, A., 1993, From Carnac to Callanish – The prehistoric rows and avenues of Britain, Ireland and Brittany, Yale University Press, New York and London, pg. 215.
Butler, J., 1993, Dartmoor Atlas of Antiquities – Vol. 4 – The South-East, Devon Books Exeter, pgs. 97-98.
Timeline
VISITED:- 9th March 2013 and 10th September 2019
FIRST PUBLISHED:- 24th January 2016
LAST UPDATED:- 11th October 2019
