About the Monument

This monument includes two stone circles situated on Emblance Downs. They are positioned close to one another at approximately 2.5m apart.

The western circle survives as a ring of stones, including five uprights and two recumbent stones with three possible sockets missing their original stones and would have had a diameter of approximately 23m. The stones appear to have been irregularly spaced (between 4.5m to 5m apart) and originally numbered about 15. Two fallen and displaced stones lie near the centre of the circle with the stones varying in height from 0.3-1.2m high. Close to the centre of the circle is a low mound measuring 4.5m long by 3m wide and 0.4m high.

The eastern circle survives as two upright and four fallen stones, one of which appears to have been displaced from the circle and now lies 2m to the south. The diameter is calculated at approximately 23.25m.

Why were repairs needed?

This stone alignment was listed on Historic England’s at-risk register with the main threat resulting from livestock erosion. Cattle, ponies and sheep rub against the stones and erode the ground surrounding the base which exposes the packing stones, and this ultimately leads to destabilisation. Hollows created by the erosion are then filled with rainwater making them even more vulnerable to toppling. A survey carried out in 2021 found that the hollows, which at the time were filled with water, were up to 60cm deep. Furthermore, the site is under threat from overgrown gorse which obscures the alignment resulting in the site being difficult to find and is therefore underappreciated

What repairs were carried out?

• The hole was then filled with blocks of mostly weathered granite, wedged as closely together as possible. These blocks were kept below ground surface level to prevent them from being exposed too quickly, should the repair work subsequently be worn away.
• The gaps between the stones were then filled with subsoil and compacted.
• A layer of subsoil was then spread over the stones and thoroughly compacted down; this layer was brought up to approximately ground level with the centre slightly raised to create a domed surface to drain water away from the stone.
• A 10cm layer of topsoil and local horse dung was spread across the subsoil to enrich the soil to help the final layer of turf to grow.
• The infilled hollow was then covered with grass turfs which were smoothly blended with edge of the infilled area, with any gaps filled with topsoil.
• As a final protection, gorse was cut from the surrounding moor and tied around the stones to prevent livestock from trampling on the repaired area for as long as possible, and thereby give the turf a chance to consolidate. 

In total, 1 stone was re-erected and 2 eroded hollows were infilled creating a solid surface around the stones.

Whats Next?

Monitoring of the site is key to the sites long-term survival. Volunteers will continue to monitor the condition of the repairs and stone alignment as a whole in the future, feeding back any concerns or issues to the Historic England Heritage at Risk Officer. Furthermore, the site will have accessible digital interpretation on our website including an annotated still drone image.

A special thank you to the landowner as well as Attwell Associates who supported the repairs.

Thank you also to our team of monumental volunteers who helped with the conservation works!