North length of the row. View from the south (Scale 1m).
A double stone row measuring 118m long, including at least 70 small and medium-sized stones forming part of a cluster of six stone rows, a stone circle and three cairns. This row is situated on a north facing slope, is orientated NNW to SSE and stands close to a later prehistoric settlement and within a coaxial field system. The upper end of the row is denoted by a small cairn.
Location
| England Devon Dartmoor SX 65998 85903 Lat 50.65728309 Long -3.89718511 |
Map showing the location of Shoveldown 4 stone row.
Simplified plan of the Shoveldown stone alignments (Source: Butler, J., 1992, 179).
Characteristics
| Type: Double | Length: 118m |
| No. of stones: 70 | Size of stones: Small and medium |
| Orientation: 153° | Altitude: 423m |
| Upper end: Cairn | Lower end: – |
| Straight (Yes or No) : No | Sea View: Yes |
| Context: Stone alignments, stone circle, prehistoric settlements, field system and cairn. | |
| 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 D10. Information on this form of stone row and other rows of this type is available here.
Photographs
Looking south along the row (Scale 1m).
The northern end of row 4. View from east (Scale 1m).
Row 4 leading up the slope. View from the north (Scale 1m).
Cairn at the top (south) of the row. View from south (Scale 1m).
Looking southward and upslope along the row.
Looking northward and downslope along the row.
In 1997 the rows on Shoveldown were easier to see.
Access Information
Car parking is available at SX 66205 86548. From here head SSW across open moorland to the stone rows.
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, pgs.178-183.
Timeline
VISITED:- 28th April 2013 and 5th July 2016
FIRST PUBLISHED:- 24th January 2016
LAST UPDATED:- 9th February 2021
The Stone Rows of Great Britain 