MSO7911 - Prehistoric stone setting on Porlock Allotment (Monument)

Two standing stones, both leaning, 2 paces apart and set in line down ridge of spur. The large block of flat stone from the hut circle or cairn (MSO7902) is on this line. There are other large stones outcropping in the area. Western stone 0.3 metres high, eastern 0.45 metres high. [1,2] SS 8403 4470. A setting of two upright and possibly one fallen stone are located on the crest of a short spur running west from the Porlock to Exford road. Situated in low heather at 375 metres above sea level this site has its views restricted to the northwest by the proximity of higher ground. The underlying strata are of the Hangman Grit Series and the setting comprises sandstone slabs. It is impossible to say whether these slabs (A & B) represent a row or the remains of a quadrilateral setting. The orientation of their long axis differ and apart from a recumbent and partly concealed slab 5.7 metres west-north-west of B, there are no other similar stones in the area. It seems very unlikely that the large east-north-east of the slabs was ever upright, neither socket nor hollow are visible and the presence of several similar stones further down the hill point to it being outcrop. The two upright slabs are not aligned on the nearby cairn (MSO7902) nor any natural features in the immediate area. Further information on the stones is in the archive. [5,6] Surveyed with GPS, 12 August 1996. [7] Scheduled, together with cairn (MSO7902) on 27 March 1996. [8] The western stone is 0.25 metres high and the east 0.5 metres high. The eastern stone sits in an erosion hollow. A third slab 5 metres to the northeast may not be associated. There is a cairn 17 metres to the southwest.There is a large, probably natural, L-shaped stone to the northeast of the cairn. [9] The Scheduled Monument Condition Assessment of 2009 gave the site a survival score of 3. [10] This was surveyed during a measured field survey undertaken as part of the Dig Porlock project, run by the Exmoor Moorland Landscape Partnership Scheme. [11] The site was surveyed in May 2015 as part of the 2015 Exmoor Scheduled Monument Condition Assessment. It was given a survival score of 7. [12] Two standing stones and a potential recumbent partner are situated down the west facing slope of Porlock allotment. It is aligned near a cairn, and a large flat inscribed stone. Stones A and B are no more than 3m apart, and the potential partner Stone C is just over 5m away to the north-east. The area is littered with stones and outcroppings up the hill of unknown significance. Stone A is heavily rubbed and leans acutely over a large erosion hollow. Stone B, is also leaning significantly and has been rubbed. Stone C is largely undamaged but recumbent, it’s location under the animal track could lead to damage from wandering livestock. A significant cover of bracken is present across the site. [13] The site was surveyed as part of an academic research project by Dr Sandy Gerrard in 2019. Surveys were conducted using a prismatic compass and electronic distance device with the plan being generated in the field. [14] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [15]