This alignment is composed entirely of fallen stones (Scale 1m).
A double stone row (or avenue) measuring 865m long, including at least 120 recumbent large-sized orthostats leading across on a wide ridge. The row is orientated east to west and both ends were probably denoted by large pillars. When standing this was probably the most impressive row on Dartmoor. The fact that all the stones are recumbent strongly suggests that they were deliberately felled. There are four other stone rows in the vicinity together with several cairns and prehistoric settlements.
Location
| England Devon Dartmoor SX 65016 61113 Lat 50.434309 Long -3.9020334 |
Map showing the location of Piles Hill stone row.
Simplified plan of Piles Hill stone alignment (Source: Butler, J., 1993, 63).
Characteristics
| Type: Double | Length: 865m |
| No. of stones: 120 | Size of stones: Large only |
| Orientation: 89° | Altitude: 386m |
| Upper end: Pillar | Lower end: Pillar |
| Straight (Yes or No) : No | Sea View: Yes |
| Context: Cairns | |
| Notes: | |
Other Information
| Public Access: Yes |
| Land Status: National Park |
| Scheduled Ancient Monument: Yes |
Identification
Category: Plausible. Despite the fact that all the stones are recumbent no doubts have been expressed regarding the prehistoric interpretation of this row.
Photographs
Large recumbent slabs forming part of the southern row. Every single stone is now recumbent which suggests that they have been deliberately pushed over. If natural agencies had been responsible there is a good chance that at least some would remain upright. View from east (Scale 1m).
When complete this row was probably the most impressive of all the Dartmoor rows and one of the most spectacular in the whole of Great Britain. View from west (Scale 1m).
The row crosses a watershed. From the eastern length the chambered cairn at Corringdon Ball is clearly visible. View from west (Scale 1m).
This slab forming part of the row has been split by the wedge and groove method. This indicates that this probably happened sometime before 1800 (Scale 1m).
Access Information
Car parking location is available at SX 64342 59548. From here head east to the Two Moors Way at SX 65765 59965. Then follow the track north to SX 65388 61077 where it crosses 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., 1993, Dartmoor Atlas of Antiquities – Vol. 4 – The South-East, Devon Books Exeter, pgs. 63-64.
Timeline
VISITED:- 9th March 2013
FIRST PUBLISHED:- 24th January 2016
LAST UPDATED:- 31st January 2018
