Eastern end of alignment, View from west (Scale 1m).
A fine double stone row measuring 183m long, including at least 169 mainly medium-sized stones together with some small and large-sized stones situated on a gentle west facing slope with extensive views towards Bodmin Moor. The row is orientated east to west and the original blocking stone at the lower (west) end is long gone. A second stone set across the row and denoting the upper eastern end is considered to be the last remaining stone forming a kerb around a cairn. This row forms part of an impressive ritual complex including six stone rows, nine cairns and a stone circle. There is also a prehistoric settlement in the vicinity.
Location
| England Devon Dartmoor SX 55541 74809 Lat 50.555144 Long -4.0406587 |
Map showing the location of Merrivale 1 stone row.
Simplified plan showing the stone alignments at Merrivale (Source: Butler, Google Earth and fieldwork).
Characteristics
| Type: Double | Length: 183m |
| No. of stones: 169 | Size of stones: Small, medium and large |
| Orientation: 85° | Altitude: 346m |
| Upper end: Cairn | Lower end: Blocking stone |
| Straight (Yes or No) : No | Sea View: Yes |
| Context: Stone alignments, cairns, cist, stone circle, standing stone, prehistoric settlement 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 D12. Information on this form of stone row and other rows of this type is available here.
Photographs
Blocking stone at the eastern end of the row.
The row consists of a mixture of large, medium and small sized stones. View from north east (Scale 1m).
Looking west along the row (Scale 1m). Row 2 is visible in the background.
The eastern end of the row. The recumbent slabs that formed the kerb of a cairn are visible beyond the blocking stone. View from above and west (Scale 1m).
Eastern end of the row. Row 2 is visible in the background. View from west (Scale 1m).
The eastern end of the row with Merrivale granite quarry in the background. View from south east.
Access Information
Car parking is available at SX 55313 75017 or SX 56050 74895. The row is a short walk away from either car park. It is worth having a look at the well preserved Bronze Age settlement a short distance to the north of the row.
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., 1994, Dartmoor Atlas of Antiquities – Vol. 3 – The South-West, Devon Books Exeter, pgs. 23-26.
Timeline
VISITED:- 24th March 2013, 20th October 2014, 6th July 2016 and 5th July 2018
FIRST PUBLISHED:- 24th January 2016
LAST UPDATED:- 13th January 2020
The Stone Rows of Great Britain 