Looking southward along the alignment (Scale 1m).
A single stone row measuring 118m long, including at least 27 mainly small-sized stones situated in a col between high ground to the west and east. The row is orientated north to south and leads between a substantial orthostat at the lower southern end to a mutilated cairn at the north. The large orthostat was re-erected in 1893 and limited excavation in 1895 revealed that the socket holes were small.
Location
| England Devon Dartmoor SX 55022 78851 Lat 50.591337 Long -4.0495489 |
Map showing the location of Langstone Moor stone row.
Simplified plan of Langstone Moor stone alignment (Source: Butler, J., 1991, 77).
Characteristics
| Type: Single | Length: 118m |
| No. of stones: 27 | Size of stones: Small and large |
| Orientation: 3° | Altitude: 439m |
| Upper end: Cairn? | Lower end: Pillar |
| Straight (Yes or No) : No | Sea View: Yes |
| Context: Stone alignment and reave | |
| Notes: | |
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.
Typology
This stone row is of Type S12. Information on this form of stone row and other rows of this type is available here.
Photographs
The Langstone denotes the southern end of the row. It is significantly larger than any of the other stones and was used as a target for small arms fire during the Second World War. The hollows in its surface are the consequence of this activity are not cup marks. View from west (Scale 1m).
The row leads between a cairn on the skyline and the Langstone. View from south west (Scale 1m).
Looking south along the southern length of the row.
Looking south along the row. Most of the stones barely protrude through the turf and are recumbent.
Looking south along the row.
The row approaching the upper cairn. Walking northward along the row reveals hills beyond which are not visible from the southern (lower) end of the row. View from the south (Scale 1m).
Access Information
Car parking is available at SX 52178 77879. From the car park follow the track leading eastward. This one is a bit of slog, pretty much all uphill for over 3kms. The row is situated just inside the Merrivale military live firing range and it is important that you check that there is no firing and that the range is open for visitors. It’s a long way to go to find you can’t visit.
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., 1991, Dartmoor Atlas of Antiquities – Vol. 2 – The North, Devon Books Exeter, pg.77.
Timeline
VISITED:- 6th July 2013
FIRST PUBLISHED:- 24th January 2016
LAST UPDATED:- 31st January 2018
The Stone Rows of Great Britain 