Details

The monument includes the remains of a round cairn of prehistoric date,
situated on the top of a locally prominent knoll where it commands
extensive, uninterrupted views in all directions. Ridlees Cairn is the
subject of a separate scheduling. The cairn of earth and stone, measures
13m in diameter and stands to a maximum height of 1m. A small two-roomed
military shelter has been constructed over the eastern end of the cairn
using loose cairn material.

The Ordnance Survey trig point situated on the south eastern perimeter of
the cairn is excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath
this feature is included.

MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.
It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features,
considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

Round cairns are prehistoric funerary monuments dating to the Bronze Age
(c.2000-700 BC). They were constructed as stone mounds covering single or
multiple burials. These burials may be placed within the mound in stone-lined
compartments called cists. In some cases the cairn was surrounded by a ditch.
Often occupying prominent locations, cairns are a major visual element in the
modern landscape. They are a relatively common feature of the uplands and are
the stone equivalent of the earthen round barrows of the lowlands. Their
considerable variation in form and longevity as a monument type provide
important information on the diversity of beliefs and social organisation
amongst early prehistoric communities. They are particularly representative of
their period and a substantial proportion of surviving examples are considered
worthy of protection.

Inspite of the fact that its upper parts have been partially remodeled,
the round cairn 230m west of Ridlees Cairn is reasonably well-preserved.
The full extent of the structure remains in situ and will provide
important information about the manner of its construction and the nature
and length of its use. The round cairn is of particular importance as it
is one of a group of large stone built cairns sited in prominent locations
in the area. Taken together with these cairns and the remains of
prehistoric settlements in the vicinity, it will inform our understanding
of funerary practices and related aspects of prehistoric life at this
time.

Source: Historic England