Stone forming part of the stone row and stone circle beyond. View from south (Scale 1m).
A probable double stone row measuring at least 60m long, including six medium and large-sized recumbent stones situated in a shallow valley. The row leads northward from a stone circle. Only the southern stones are clearly visible and the others are hidden by dense vegetation. Other stones in the vicinity mean that it is not possible to be certain that this is a double or single stone row or even a fortuitous line of stones. On balance a stone row interpretation is probable because of the associated stone circle.
Location
| England | Northumberland | Rest of England | NT 97135 20512 |
| Lat 55.47844977 Long –2.04687563 | |||
Map showing the location of Threestoneburn House stone row.
Plan of the Threestoneburn House stone circle and row. Recumbent stones in stone circle shown green and upright stones shown grey. Row stones are highlighted red. Source: Waddington and Williams, 2002, 6.
Characteristics
| Type: Double | Length: 60m |
| No. of stones: 6 | Size of stones: Medium and large |
| Orientation: 18° | Altitude: 313m |
| Upper end: Stone circle | Lower end: – |
| Straight (Yes or No) : No | Sea View: No |
| Context: – | |
| Notes: Two of the stones are described as being almost entirely submerged in the peat. | |
Other Information
| Public Access: Yes |
| Land Status: Northumberland National Park |
| Scheduled Ancient Monument: Yes |
Interpretation
Category: Probable. Deep peat combined with historic damage means that it is not possible to be absolutely sure that the stones to the north of the Threestoneburn House stone circle form part of a stone row or indeed precicely what the original form of the row may have been. Of the seven stones known to the north of the circle six of them can be seen as forming part of a wide double row. Alternatively, there may have been a single row including four or five of the stones together with outliers. A double row interpretation currently best fits the available evidence, but the evidence is far from complete.
One possible interpreation of the evidence is that the stones represent the remains of a double row.
Alternatively they could represent the remains of a single row with a pair of associated outliers.
Typology
This stone row is of Type D9. Information on this form of stone row and other rows of this type is available here.
Photographs
Plan showing position of numbered stones.
Stone 1 is recumbent, measures 1m long by 0.97m wide and 0.30m high. View from east (Scale 1m).
Stone 2 sits within a clump of heather.
Stone 3 is also completely hidden by heather. View from north east (Scale 1m).
Stones 4 and 6 are within dense woodland and could not be seen at the time of the visit.
Stone 5 measures 1.2m long by 0.73m wide and stands 0.4m high. View from south (Scale 1m).
Stones 5 and 7. Stone 7 is beside the ranging rod and is completely covered by heather. Stone 5 is on the right hand side of the photograph.
The western arc of the stone circle with the row beyond. View from south (Scale 1m).
Access Information
This is not an easy row to get to and some might wonder whether the effort is worth it. Bridleways shown on Ordnance Survey maps do not exist and visiting it on the hottest day of the year is not recommended. Sadly in common with many rows next to forestry you will need to watch out for ticks. The route described below worked for me, but alternatives may exist. Park at NT 96325 23259. Cross the bridge and follow the footpath to NT 96195 22029. From here the best way is to follow the quad bike track on the southern side of the wall. This will take you to the access gate into Threestoneburn Wood at NT 96970 20964. From here follow the forest track to the row and circle.
Online Resources
Megalithic Portal Modern Antiquarian PastScape Historic Environment Record
Other Sources
Waddington, C. and Williams, A., 2002, “A Survey of Threestoneburn Stone Circle”, Northern Archaeology, 19, 1-22.
Timeline
VISITED:- 26th June 2018
FIRST PUBLISHED:- 12th February 2016
LAST UPDATED:- 12th January 2019
The Stone Rows of Great Britain 