Details

The monument includes a henge monument lying on undulating land in the Vale of
Mowbray.
The monument comprises a subcircular enclosure formed by a prominent single
bank lying between two ditches. The bank is 45m wide and stands to a maximum
height of 3m. The inner ditch, which remains as a slight hollow, is 5m wide.
The outer ditch has become infilled over the years but it remains clear on
aerial photographs. The inner enclosure of the henge, within the inner ditch,
has a diameter of 80m. Overall the monument has an external diameter ranging
from 240m to 254m. Access into the enclosure was provided by two entrances,
one in the north and one in the south. Each remains visible as a break in the
enclosing bank. Adjacent to these breaks, the ditches have been infilled to
provide access causeways.
The monument is one of a series of henge monuments located in the Vale of
Mowbray. These henges are also associated with other contemporary monuments
and groups of later round barrows. The study of these monuments provides
important information about their nature and function within a wider ritual
landscape.
The monument is crossed by two modern fence lines. These are excluded from the
scheduling, although the ground beneath them 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

Henges are ritual or ceremonial centres which date to the Late Neolithic
period (2800-2000 BC). They were constructed as roughly circular or oval-
shaped enclosures comprising a flat area over 20m in diameter enclosed by a
ditch and external bank. One, two or four entrances provided access to the
interior of the monument, which may have contained a variety of features
including timber or stone circles, post or stone alignments, pits, burials or
central mounds. Finds from the ditches and interiors of henges provide
important evidence for the chronological development of the sites, the types
of activity that occurred within them and the nature of the environment in
which they were constructed. Henges occur throughout England with the
exception of south-eastern counties and the Welsh Marches. They are generally
situated on low ground, often close to springs and water-courses. Henges are
rare nationally with about 80 known examples. As one of the few types of
identified Neolithic structures and in view of their comparative rarity, all
henges are considered to be of national importance.

Although reduced by agricultural activity, this monument is still preserved as
an earthwork enclosure and further details can be clearly seen on aerial
photographs. Significant information about its form and function will be
preserved within the bank and ditch. As part of a wider group of monuments in
this area, this site will provide important insights into the study of a
ritual landscape in the prehistoric period.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Books and journals
Harding, A, Lee, G E, 'Henge Monuments and Related Sites in Great Britain' in Henge Monuments and Related Sites in Great Britain, , Vol. BAR 175, (1987), 308
Other
CUCAP DR 53; AAA 92; ATG 73, (1959)
Manby T G, The Lowlands and eastern Foothills, 1993,

Source: Historic England