Nine Maidens

View from south west.

A single stone row probably measuring 729m long, including at least 10 large-sized orthostats situated on a south west facing slope with a sea view reveal at the upper end (NNE). The row is orientated NNE to SSW and most of the stones survive in a cluster at the southern end. The row stands near another row and several cairns.

Location

England	Cornwall	Rest of England	SW 93933 68211
Lat 50.477386   Long -4.905702

Map showing the location of Nine Maidens stone row.

Simplified plan of the Nine Maidens stone row (Source: Google Earth).

Characteristics

Type: Single	Length: 729m
No. of stones: 10	Size of stones: Only large
Orientation: 22.5°	Altitude: 172m
Upper end: Pillar	Lower end: –
Straight (Yes or No)  : No	Sea View: Yes
Context:  Cairns
Notes:

Other Information

Public Access:  Yes

Land Status:

Scheduled Ancient Monument: Yes

Identification

Category: Plausible. No doubts have been expressed regarding the prehistoric interpretation of this row. It is however not known with any certainty whether the Fiddler at the northern end originally formed part of the row. It is however probable that this now isolated stone formed the northern end of the row.

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Typology

This stone row is of Type S11. Information on this form of stone row and other rows of this type is available here.

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Photographs

View from above and south west (Scale 1m).

View from south west (Scale 1m).

View from the west.

Recumbent stone at the northern end of the Nine Maidens. View from above and north (Scale 1m).

The Fiddler is situated about 600m north of the Nine Maidens and may have formed the original northern end of the row. The Fiddler is not visible from the Nine Maidens, but its position relative to the other stones combined with the dramatic sea view reveal that this creates strongly suggests that it once formed part of the row. 

Access Information

Car parking is available at SW 93533 67827. From here there are two separate routes to the different parts of the row. To visit the Nine Maidens you should with care walk south along the road verge to SW 93748 68225 and then follow the footpath to the stones. To visit the Fiddler you should walk with care northward along the road verge to SW 93748 68225 and then follow the footpath to SW 93935 68182. From this point the stone and vista can be appreciated. To enter the field permission will need to be sought.

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Online Resources 

Megalithic Portal     Modern Antiquarian     PastScape

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. 214.

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Timeline

VISITED:- 19th October 2014 

FIRST PUBLISHED:- 12th February 2016

LAST UPDATED:- 30th January 2018