H.E.R. record

.kmz file

Overview map

Orchard Stones long barrow "Composed of small stones but turfed over. Some years ago viz about 1724 or 1725, taking away several loads to mend ye highway the workmen discovered the bones of a large man by several smaller skulls, lying in a sort of chest having two great rude stones at head and feet, two side stones and a coverer. Some say a great number of bones. The barrow is overall, has a pit or hollow in ye top..and at ye east end are now remaining two upright stones about 3ft high which if opened might probably discover such another chest of skeletons..". {1}

Opened in 1803 or 1804 - possible primary deposit of large number of bones and possible secondary cremations in urns. A large stone W of centre was broken up just before a visit by Skinner in 1825. {3}

Also opened in 1872 by Clutterbuck. {6}

Further excavations by Gray in 1920 who revealed human remains just W of entrance. He suspected that the two standing stones now at the E end may have been placed there c1800 or 1803-4 as a "restoration" at the time of the earlier exploitation. Was then 194ft long, 130ft wide and 3ft high, orientated E-W. {8}

165ft long, 100ft wide and 3ft high (Buckland Dinham I). Murtry field was originally "Mortuary Field". {10}

Daniel, however, doubts whether "there was ever a burial chamber at this site". {11}

The two stones (the taller is 3.3m) stand on a slightly raised semi-circular platform, with a bank on the SW. Two other stones show through the surface. It is not possible by visual inspection to reach any conclusion concerning the nature of the site. {12}

A mound c38m long and 19m wide with many signs of old excavation, very irregular and uneven, orientated E-W. Much hollowed on the N side, maximum height on the S c1.25m. There are two standing stones at the E end. The most southerly is 1.5m by 0.75m, tapering at the top c3m above the ground, standing upright. To the N of this is a smaller stone 1m by 0.75m and c2m high, leaning towards and touching the larger stones. All lichen covered and weathered. There are two other larger stones of similar material lying on the mound. {13}

Murtry Hill is said to be haunted by a lady in white. Some local people are said to dislike passing the monument after dark. A golden coffin is said to be buried in it. A workman who dug down to find the bottom of the stone is said to have penetrated ten feet without reaching the bottom. The great stone is said to have fallen and crushed a workman and then returned to its position of immovability. {14}

The area of the monument is fenced off and in good condition. A single tree has been planted to the S but should not affect the monument. {17}

The site was seen in 1730 by Strachey and when material was removed for road mending in c1724 "bones of a large man and several skulls lying in a sort of chest having great rude stones at head and feet, 2 side stones and a coverer. Some say a great number of bones" "At ye east end are now remaining 2 upright stones about 8ft high" {18}

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