Concentric enclosure in An Carn Mór Thiar

In an area of pastureland and outcropping limestone sloping to the SW. The M6 motorway is immediately to the S of the field in which the monument lies. This subcircular concentric enclosure (max. dims. c. 70m N-S; c. 65m E-W) is not marked on the OS maps but is clearly visible on aerial photographs (https://binged.it/2oxnmh0 last accessed 29 March 2017) and it was previously noted by Sutton (2009, 187). It is defined by two banks of earth and stone with a wide space between the banks. The inner bank (base Wth 2.5m; top Wth 1.16m; int. H 0.17m; ext. H 0.19m) is visible from ENE to S to SW. No visible surface trace is evident from SW to N to ENE where the monument is densely overgrown with thorn bushes. There is no trace of a fosse. The outer bank (base Wth 3.35m; top Wth 1.25m; int. H 0.23m; ext. H 0.16m) survives as flat spread of earth and grass-covered boulders and is visible from ENE to S to WNW. It is cut by a field wall at WNW and ENE and to the N of the wall it is difficult to follow its line due to dense overgrowth. The area between the banks is generally broad and flat (Wth 13.3m). A possible causewayed entrance feature (Wth 1.9m) is visible between the banks at E. It is defined by two low banks of grass-covered boulders; the S bank (base Wth 3.1m; top Wth 1m; int. 0.19m; ext. H 0.18m) is more well-defined than the N bank (base Wth 2.62m; top of Wth 1.27m; int. H 0.14m; ext. H 0.08m). Most of the interior of the monument is densely overgrown with thorn bushes and a possible hollow or pit, also overgrown, is evident in the W sector. Traces of a field wall associated with a possible field system (GA083-079001-) extend from the outer bank at S. An enclosure lies c. 85m to the SW. Compiled by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 29 March 2017