Devon - Merrivale Stone Row

Merrivale Stone Rows & Cist, Devon

On a flat plateau, surrounded by a number a rocky Tors lies this quite remarkable complex of prehistoric sites. Amongst the numerous hut circles, cairns and cists can be found a stone circle, a solitary menhir, a stone row and two spectacular double stone rows. The northern avenue is 182m long, and one metre separates the two lines of upright stones. The avenue is aligned E-W and is terminated at its eastern end with a large triangular stone set perpendicular to the rows. Approximately 160 stones can still be seen, although some of them are very small. To the S is a longer avenue, containing over two hundred stones. It runs for 264m, almost parallel to the northern avenue. In fact, the two avenues are offset by just 2°, closer at the eastern end than at the western end. Again, a large triangular stone, perpendicular to the lines of stones terminates the higher eastern end. At the western terminus there is a pair stones of similar shapes, a pillar and a wide slab. It has been suggested that these could be the remains of a ruined cairn. Many rows on Dartmoor lead to a cairn or barrow, so maybe this is a true analysis. However, the cairn is usually found at the higher end. Uniquely, this southern avenue is punctuated almost at its midpoint by a ring of small stones, at the centre of which can be seen a cist. These stones are the remnants of a round barrow. It is the only example on Dartmoor of a barrow actually being incorporated into a stone row. Whether the monument was designed in this fashion or resulted from a later addition is not known. There is no record of any finds being made in the barrow itself. A short distance further S is a single row comprising of just eight stones and is only 42m in length. It is aligned SSW to NNE like most of the rows on Dartmoor, and leads to a small ruinous cairn near to the southern avenue. Reports from the nineteenth century indicate the existence of a further row, now lost. Aubrey Burl is sceptical about suggestions that these rows were used as astronomical or lunar observatories. The narrowness of the avenues, and the absence of cairns at their termini would rule out the idea of them being processional routes. Instead, he has suggested that they form lines of demarcation between territories. He points out that the two double rows have a stone circle, a standing stone and burial cists to the S, and hut circles only to the N. Excavation of the area in the late nineteenth century by the Dartmoor Excavation Committee revealed a flint scraper, flakes of flint and a small whetstone for the polishing of metal implements. These were found in the large cist which is located 14m S of the southern avenue, near to the eastern end. The large capstone was broken in two thanks to the efforts of a local stonemason who carved a gatepost out of it in 1860. Locally the stones which form the rows are known as the Plague Market, for it was here that parishioners would leave food for the banished victims of the Great Plague in the mid seventeenth century. The paucity of finds at this complex is a shame. However, along with the complexes at Fernworthy, Drizzlecombe and Shovel Down, Merrivale was a very important site to our ancient ancestors. The carefully chosen site is all that remains of a large Bronze Age megalithic landscape, probably belonging to the Beaker culture, the significance of which is now lost. One can only speculate about the true significance of the site in the absence of good archaeological data. On the other hand it can be interesting to speculate, and maybe one day somebody will speculate the truth, a truth which can be supported by hard evidence. But until that day arrives go and take a look for yourself, and find your own truth.

O.S.G.R.:	SX 555 748 (191).
Location:	2½ miles NW of Princetown, 4 miles E of Tavistock.
Directions:	Take the B3357 eastwards across the moor from Tavistock. After about 4 miles a public house will be passed on the northern side of the road. About ¼ mile further, on the S side of the road is a small car park. Leave the car here & walk just 250m in a SSE direction but be careful not to trip over the rows running parallel to your path.

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