Wotter Common Reported Stone Circle

Database entries

OS Map: SX 55872 62014
OS Source: Google
HER: MDV130502
Alternate name: Wotter Common
Short Name: SC:Wotter
Butler map: 48.6
Exist: Maybe
Record: Unique
Record Source: Goodwin
Hut Class: No
Lidar: SX 55872 62014
Guide Map: 54
Nearest Bus Stop: Wotter Methodist Church (0.3 km) [Route: 59]
Nearby sites: SX 55872 62014

Notes

Possible stone circle at Wotter reported by Sam Goodwin on a Facebook posting. Facebook: Wotter Common Stone Circle

The remains in this area are chaotic and disturbed by later interference. It is hard to make out the original stones of the nearby stone rows.

The satellite imagery does seem to bear out a circle of stones. The linked HER record refers to a diagram found in Butler Volume 3 p. 107 (diagram) that refers to an east to west "alignment?" of around 8 stones. This would appear to be the top half of what appears to be this reported stone circle. So, Butler thought there was a possible stone row here.

The southern part of the stone circle includes a gate which may have been stones imported at a later date.

In 1998 there was a report by Fletcher, M. + Probert, S., 1998, "Shaugh Moor, Devon: An Archaeological Survey".

It states: "Other large upright stones occur near the east row. Two substantial uprights used as gateposts may have been moved from elsewhere and there are two uprights nearby which Butler suggests may be the remains of a row which lies at 90 degrees to the east row. Surveyed at 1:200."

So, this looks like a stone circle. Butler and others thought the northern section could be a section of stone row.

This site is an enigma that is difficult to interpret.

References

These are selected references with an emphasis on out of copyright sources linked as PDFs. For more detailed references try any linked HER or PMD record above.

• Butler, Jeremy, Dartmoor Atlas of Antiquities, vol.3: The South-West, (1994)
• Emmett, D.D., Stone rows: the traditional view reconsidered, D.A.S.P. No.37 pp.94-114 (1979)
• Fletcher, M. + Probert, S., Shaugh Moor, Devon: An Archaeological Survey, 3, Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England Report (1998)
• Worth, R. Hansford, The Stone Rows of Dartmoor - Part 6, T.D.A. Vol.35 pp.426-29 (1903)
• Worth, R. Hansford, The Stone Rows of Dartmoor Part 1, T.D.A. Vol.78 pp.285-316 (1946)