Dyke Row

View from north east.

A probable single stone row measuring 8.7m long, including one medium and two large-sized orthostats situated on a terrace adjacent to a busy main road. The stones stand up to between 1.7m and 0.7m high, arranged in height order with the tallest at the south. The row is orientated NNE to SSW and doubts concerning its identification revolve around its proximity to the road.

Location

Scotland Dumfries and Galloway Rest of Scotland NT 08375 03824
Lat 55.319923   Long -3.4454222

Map showing the location of Dyke stone row

Plan of the Dyke stone row. (Source http://canmore.org.uk/collection/1345824.)

Characteristics

Type: Single Length: 8.7m
No. of stones: 3 Size of stones: Medium and large
Orientation: 22.5° Altitude: 104m
Upper end: – Lower end: –
Straight (Yes or No)  : Sea View: No
Context:  –
Notes:

Other Information

Public Access:  Yes
Land Status:
Scheduled Ancient Monument: Yes

Identification

Category: Probable. This looks like a stone row, but given the proximity of the public highway and lack of a prehistoric context the possibility must exist that it is the remants of something else which has been truncated by the road. Indeed it might perhaps even be the remains of a structure of historic date. However, on balance it is most likely to represent a prehistoric stone row.


Typology

This stone row is of Type S3. Information on this form of stone row and other rows of this type is available here.


Photographs

View from the east.  During the summer months the row is largely obscured by undergrowth. 

Looking southward along the row. The row stands next to a busy road. This location throws an element of doubt on its identification as a prehistoric row. 

View from south west.

Access Information

Car parking is available at NT 08327 03648. From here walk towards Moffat on the roadside path until you reach the row. Carefully cross the busy road. Best visited in the winter or early spring before the vegetation obscures the stones.


Online Resources 

Megalithic Portal     Canmore

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. 222.

Ruggles, C.L.N., 1999, Astronomy in prehistoric Britain and Ireland, Yale University Press, New Haven and London, 198.


Timeline

VISITED:- 6th December 2015

FIRST PUBLISHED:- 13th February 2016

LAST UPDATED:- 15th March 2019

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