Threestoneburn Stone Circle

Threestoneburn Stone Circle is an archaeological site, a stone circle near the village of Ilderton and about 5 miles (8 km) south of Wooler, in Northumberland, England. It is a scheduled monument.[1]

Threestoneburn Stone Circle
Viewed from the west
Threestoneburn Stone Circle is located in Northumberland
Threestoneburn Stone Circle
Shown within Northumberland
Locationnear Ilderton, Northumberland
Coordinates55°28′41.880″N 2°2′48.912″W / 55.47830000°N 2.04692000°W / 55.47830000; -2.04692000
OS grid referenceNT 971 205
TypeStone circle
History
PeriodsLate Neolithic/early Bronze Age
Site notes
Excavation dates1856
Designated28 November 1932
Reference no.1019922

Description

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The circle, of the late Neolithic or early Bronze Age, is situated in a large clearing in the modern afforestation of Threestoneburn Wood,[1] formerly overlooking a spacious valley to the east.[2] 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.[1]

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.[1]

Excavation

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There was partial excavation in 1856. A thick layer of peat was found above the ground surface. A flint tool was found,[1] and spreads of charcoal which may be the traces of fire-rituals.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Historic England. "Stone circle and stone alignment 370m west of Threestoneburn House (1019922)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  2. ^ a b Aubrey Burl. The Stone Circles of the British Isles. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1976. Pages 284–285.