Threestoneburn Stone Circle
Description
The circle, of the late Neolithic or early Bronze Age, is situated in a large clearing in the modern afforestation of Threestoneburn Wood, formerly overlooking a spacious valley to the east. It is on a slight promontory near the confluence of Threestone Burn and one of its tributaries. Its dimensions are 36 metres (118 ft) north-west to south-east by 30 metres (98 ft) north-east to south-west. There are 16 stones of local pink granite, set about 5.5 metres (18 ft) apart; a larger gap on the east side is thought to be an original entrance. Four of these are upright, with heights 0.7 to 1.3 metres (2 ft 4 in to 4 ft 3 in); the rest are recumbent.
About 28 metres (92 ft) to the north are two granite stones, one of which is recumbent; immediately to their east is an alignment of three stones lying in the surface layer of peat, 9 metres (30 ft) apart.
Excavation
There was partial excavation in 1856. A thick layer of peat was found above the ground surface. A flint tool was found, and spreads of charcoal which may be the traces of fire-rituals.
See also
References
- ^ Historic England. "Stone circle and stone alignment 370m west of Threestoneburn House (1019922)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
- ^ Aubrey Burl. The Stone Circles of the British Isles. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1976. Pages 284–285.