'The Shearers'

NT71NE 49 7907 1927 to 7918 1926.

(NT 7907 1927 - NT 7918 1926) The Shearers (NR)

OS 6" map, (1958).

Old Dyke, 'The Shearers': Some 90 yds SE of Hownam Rings (NT71NE 1), a line of 28 stones extends from W to E across the plateau for a distance of 120yds. Eleven of the stones are only exposed at turf level but the other seventeen are upright blocks, roughly squared off and varying in height from 6ins to 3ft. Their other dimensions average 2 3/4ft by

1 1/2ft. Although marked as 'Standing Stones' on OS 6" 1923 edition, these stones are merely the grounders of an ancient field dyke, probably erected at some time during the occupation of Hownam Rings.

RCAHMS 1956, visited 1938; C M Piggott 1950.

NT 7906 1927 - NT 7917 1926. 'The Shearers': name verified. Generally as described, and orientated roughly WNW by ESE, the purpose of this stone line is probably as suggested above. Eight stones are upright and the remainder are recumbent. On plan, no particular construction or spacing technique is apparent.

Surveyed at 1:10,000.

Visited by OS (JRL) 2 November 1979.