Types of Monuments
This website and accompanying book guides you to discover a range of stone monuments in the Peak District. Most of them can be dated to the Late Neolithic Early Bronze Age. These are not all the prehistoric monuments to be found in the area, as there are still many sites that this book does not cover. The following is a brief description of each monument type that is covered in this book:
Henge
Used to describe a variety of circular structures built in the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. A henge usually consists of a circular earth bank with an internal ditch, which can be broken by one or more entrances, which are usually diametrically opposite. Although the original purpose can only be guessed at, evidence suggests that they were used for large communal activities such as meetings for both religious and secular purposes. Various configurations of standing stones can be found within the henge, but their presence is not what defines it as being a henge.
Embanked Stone Circle
Typically consisting of a ring of standing stones, set on the internal edge of retained rubble bank. The number of stones varies greatly within the Peak District from 6 to 26, depending on the diameter of the circle, which can also vary from 5 to 25m across. Occasionally outlying (outlier) stones can be identified at some distance away from the ring, hinting that the set stones were used in astronomical observations as often the stones are aligned to celestial events such as sun or moon rises and sets on midsummer and midwinter solstices. Some circles also contain burial mounds in their centre.
Freestanding Stone Circle
Typically consisting of a ring of stones set upright in the ground, but without any kind of embankment. In the Peak District there are only a few examples of this kind and they vary greatly in size, from the massive stones used at Nine Stones Close to the small ring of six stones used at Doll Tor. Hordron Edge is another example where no bank is present.
Ringcairn
Comprising of a similar retained bank of rubble to that found at an embanked stone circle, but without any upright stones set into it. The central area is generally flat. They vary greatly in diameter from 6 to 25m and usually have at least one entrance. Identification of such sites is difficult as often a robbed cairn will leave a ring of stones that can be misinterpreted as a ringcairn.
Cairn
Generally circular in shape, a cairn consists of a mound of stones, varying greatly in size, that covers a burial.
Kerbed Cairn
Similar to a cairn in construction, except for the use of larger stones that are positioned around the base in order to retain the smaller rubble stones.
Chambered Tomb
A large man-made mound of earth or rubble containing chambers built of stone slabs. Used over long periods of time for burials. During their use access to the chambers was generally kept open, suggesting that the interred remains were brought out and used at certain times, such as ceremonies and celebrations.
Tumulus
An earth mound, varying greatly in size, but generally circular in shape and covering a burial. Tumulus is generally accepted as being an old name for a barrow
Rock Art
Stones carved with varying designs, including cup-like depressions and rings.The practice of carvings rocks flourished during the Neolithic period. There are many theories as to what rock art carvings mean from them playing a role in religious ceremonies to them being used as ‘signposts’, or territory markers.