Looking southward along the row (Scale 1m).
A double stone row measuring 148m long, including at least 78 mainly small-sized stones, but with some medium-sized stones and one large orthostat forming part of a cluster of six stone rows, a stone circle and three cairns. This row is situated on a south facing slope, is orientated north to south and stands close to a later prehistoric settlement and within a coaxial field system. The lower end of the row is denoted by a tall standing stone known as the Long Stone.
Location
| England Devon Dartmoor SX 66017 85840 Lat 50.65672104 Long -3.89690496 |
Map showing the location of Shoveldown 5 stone row.
Simplified plan of the Shoveldown stone alignments (Source: Butler, J., 1992, 179).
Characteristics
| Type: Double | Length: 148m |
| No. of stones: 78 | Size of stones: Small, medium and large |
| Orientation: 178° | Altitude: 423m |
| Upper end: – | Lower end: Pillar |
| 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 D12. Information on this form of stone row and other rows of this type is available here.
Photographs
Looking south along the northern length of the row.
The north end of the row. View from the north.
Looking northward along the row.
The double row approaching the terminal pillar known as the Longstone. View from north.
The Longstone forms the end of Rows 5 and 6 on Shoveldown. View from south west.
Access Information
Car parking is available at SX 66205 86548. From here head SSW across open moorland to the stone rows.
Nearest Neighbour
Shoveldown 6 (2m)
Nearby Rows
Shoveldown 1 (5m)
Shoveldown 2 (190m)
Shoveldown 3 (202m)
Shoveldown 4 (66m)
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 June 2020
The Stone Rows of Great Britain 