Details

The monument is situated in a prominent position above Malham Cove and
overlooking upper Malhamdale. It has a diameter of 30m, the periphery being
defined by a kerb of large stones. The monument was originally about 1.8m high
but the centre has been quarried for stone during the enclosures of the mid-
19th century and the height reduced to a maximum of 1m. The cairn is largely
turf-covered although areas of exposed stones are visible within the central
hollow.

MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.
It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features,
considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

Round cairns are prehistoric funerary monuments dating to the Bronze Age
(c.2000-700 BC). They were constructed as stone mounds covering single or
multiple burials. These burials may be placed within the mound in stone-lined
compartments called cists. In some cases the cairn was surrounded by a ditch.
Often occupying prominent locations, cairns are a major visual element in the
modern landscape. They are a relatively common feature of the uplands and are
the stone equivalent of the earthen round barrows of the lowlands. Their
considerable variation in form and longevity as a monument type provide
important information on the diversity of beliefs and social organisation
amongst early prehistoric communities. They are particularly representative of
their period and a substantial proportion of surviving examples are considered
worthy of protection.

Although the monument has been partially disturbed, Sheriff Hill round cairn
is still a well preserved example of this monument type, containing further
archaeological remains.

Source: Historic England