Copyright: Martyn Copcutt. Original available at Megalithic Portal.
A single stone row measuring at least 73m long, including 11 small-sized stones situated on a gentle north facing slope with a sea view and an extensive view of South Wales. The row is orientated south east to north west and there is a small cairn at the lower (NW end). There are several other cairns, stone settings, rows and standing stones in the vicinity.
Location
| England | Devon | Exmoor | SS 73833 43962 |
| Lat 51.180874 Long -3.806504 | |||
Map showing the location of Furzehill Common 3 stone row.
Plan of Furzehill Common 3 stone row (Source: survey by Gordon Fisher, Janet Daynes and Sandy Gerrard at 1:200).
Map showing the position of Furzehill Common 3, other stone rows and other sites around Furzehill Common (Source: Exmoor National Park HER).
Characteristics
| Type: Single | Length: 73m |
| No. of stones: 11 | Size of stones: Only small |
| Orientation: 135° | Altitude: 380m |
| Upper end: – | Lower end: Cairn |
| Straight (Yes or No) : No | Sea View: Yes |
| Context: Stone alignments | |
| Notes: | |
Other Information
| Public Access: Yes |
| Land Status: National Park |
| Scheduled Ancient Monument: Yes |
Interpretation
Category: Plausible. No doubts have been expressed regarding the prehistoric interpretation of this row.
Typology
This stone row is of Type S10. Information on this form of stone row and other rows of this type is available here.
Photographs
Individual Stones
Plan of Furzehill Common 3 stone row showing the position of the numbered stones shown below.
Stone 1
Stone 1 measures 0.16m long by 0.05m wide and stands up to 0.04m high. View from north east (Scale 1m).
Gordon measuring Stone 1. View from north east (Scale 1m).
Stone 2
Stone 2 measures 0.19m long by 0.08m wide and stands up to 0.08m high. View from north east (Scale 1m).
View from south east (Scale 1m).
Stone 3
Stone 3 measures 0.40m long by 0.05m wide and stands up to 0.05m high. View from south west (Scale 1m).
View from south east (Scale 1m).
Stone 4
Stone 4 measures 0.05m long by 0.04m wide and stands up to 0.05m high. View from south west (Scale 1m).
Stone 5
Stone 5 measures 0.20m long by 0.05m wide and stands up to 0.04m high. View from north east (Scale 1m).
Stone 6
Stone 6 measures 0.20m long by 0.12m wide and stands up to 0.06m high. View from north east (Scale 1m).
View from south east (Scale 1m).
Stone 7
Stone 7 measures 0.05m long by 0.04m wide and stands up to 0.01m high. View from north east.
Stone 8
Stone 8 measures 0.16m long by 0.07m wide and stands up to 0.04m high. View from north east (Scale 1m).
View from south east (Scale 1m).
Stone 9
Stone 9 measures 0.30m long by 0.06m wide and stands up to 0.04m high. View from north east (Scale 1m).
View from south east (Scale 1m).
Stone 10
Stone 10 measures 0.13m long by 0.11m wide and stands up to 0.10m high. View from north east (Scale 1m).
View from south east. The ranging rod in the background denotes the position of Stone 8 (Scales 1m).
Stone 11
Stone 11 measures 0.27m long by 0.13m wide and stands up to 0.06m high. View from north east (Scale 1m).
View from south east. The ranging rod in the background denotes the position of Stone 8 (Scales 1m).
Cairn
The cairn at the lower north western end of the row measures 5m, stands up 0.35m high and is heather covered. A few stones protrude through the surface. The figure in the background denotes the south eastern end of the row.
The heather covered cairn at the lower end of the row. View from south east (Scale 1m).
Access Information
This row can be reached either by walking from Brendon Two Gates (SS 76507 43252) which takes you past the rows on Cheriton Ridge or from Shallowford (SS 71409 44955) which avoids a couple of steep climbs.
Acknowledgements
Most of the stones are hidden deep within dense vegetation and were found only after considerable searching with the help of Gordon Fisher and Janet Daynes. It was found that the best way to locate them was by feel. This involved shuffling slowly over the ground until you felt them below your wellingtons. Gordon and Janet also helped with the survey and recording of the stones. Their help was as always much appreciated, but at this site their input made all the difference.
Online Resources
Megalithic Portal PastScape Historic Environment Record
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. 216.
Timeline
VISITED:- 28th April 2018 and 30th July 2018
FIRST PUBLISHED:- 12th February 2018
LAST UPDATED:- 21st November 2020
The Stone Rows of Great Britain 