Details

The monument includes the remains of a round cairn of Bronze Age date,
situated on a low knoll on a promontory formed by two tributaries of the
Whitelee Sike. The round cairn, circular in shape and of stone and earth
construction, measures 9m in diameter. It stands to a maximum height of 1.5m
and remains undisturbed.

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.

The round cairn 960m ENE of West Wilkwood is well preserved and retains
significant archaeological deposits. As a good example of an undisturbed round
cairn it will add greatly to our knowledge and understanding of Bronze Age
funerary and ritual practices in the region.

Source: Historic England