View from the south. Ranging rod stands by a stone denoting the eastern edge of the platform The cairn with large cist are visible beyond (Scale 1m).
Location
| England Devon Dartmoor SX 7040 8115 Lat 50.61560244 Long -3.833215765 |
Google Map showing the location of Grimslake Cist
Plan of Grimslake Cist and platform with stones. Stones shown red are asociated with the platform that extends south from the cairn (Source: Butler, J., 1991, 147 and survey by Sandy Gerrard and Janet Daynes at 1:100).
Characteristics
| Type: Non row | Length: – |
| No. of stones: 8 | Size of stones: Small and medium |
| Orientation: – | Altitude: 473m |
| Upper end: Cairn | Lower end: – |
| Straight (Yes or No) : | Sea View: No |
| Context: Prehistoric settlement and cairns | |
| Notes: | |
Other Information
| Public Access: Yes |
| Land Status: National Park |
| Scheduled Ancient Monument: Yes |
Identification
Category: Not. This site was originally identified as a possible stone row including the two stones identified by Jeremy Butler. A fresh survey of the site presented on the Facebook Page Dartmoor Stone Rows and Ting showed more stones than depicted by Butler. A second visit to the site confirmed the presence of the additional stones and further earthworks that had not been spotted previously. The low platform leading from the cairn coincides with the stones and it would appear that they are associated with that rather being a stone row. The origin of the platform is far from clear. It may be an original feature or perhaps a spoil dump, though the presence of a hollow within it complete with associated dump suggests that it is more likely to be of prehistoric date.
Photographs
Hollow next to the cairn and exposed stones around its edge. View from south east (Scale 1m).
Platform extending from ther southern side of the cairn. View from south (Scale 1m).
Cist in the foreground, kerb stone on the left and platform indicated by the ranging rod. View from north (Scale 1m).
Cist and kerb stone. View from the south east.
Access Information
Visiting this row also offers the opportunity to see the impressive Grimspound prehistoric settlement. Car parking is available at SX 69701 80894. Walk east along the well trodden path up to Grimspound which is defintely worth a good look. Then head north east to visit the row.
Acknowledgements
I would like to that Janet Daynes for helping with the survey together with Bill Radcliffe and Gordon Fisher for input into the discussions.
Online Resources
Prehistoric Monuments of Dartmoor
Other References
Butler, J., 1991, Dartmoor Atlas of Antiquities – Vol. 1 – The East, Devon Books Exeter, pgs.147-149.
The Stone Rows of Great Britain 