Dartmoor

 Thursday September 19, we woke up in Chagford.  It is one of four medieval Stannary towns on Dartmoor, situated high above the River Teign. The name of Chagford means ‘gorse ford’ from the old dialect word chag (gorse, broom), and the ford being that over the River Teign which is crossed by Chagford Bridge and has existed since before 1224.  Chagford was our base for heading to Dartmoor National Park, which we did today.  Dartmoor is home to wooded forests, desolate moors, and the prehistoric Merrivale stone rows. As we headed out to the Moors, our 1st stop was a scenic bridge called PostBridge.  It was done in a method called clapper bridge - where they lay large stones over the supports.  Postbridge Clapper Bridge was first mentioned in 1380, but thought to have been built as early as the 13th century. It is a 3-span bridge of granite on the Medieval route between Exeter and Tavistock.

Then just past Postbridge, we headed to a Neolithic site where we could explore Dartmoor's ancient past. We walked through a stunning landscape with archaeological evidence all around us. We walked to an area where there were stone cists, burial cairns, stone rows, stone circle and hut circles that showed evidence of how people lived on the high moor thousands of years ago.  If you wanted to look up more, there is information on the Merrivale Stone Row Dartmoor.  First we came upon 2 double stone rows, this is the information I found about them. The first row runs due east-west and is about 853 feet long.  All the stones are quite small but they have recently been excavate. There are taller stones at each end.  There is a second, shorter stone row a short distance to the north, running parallel, on the far side of the stream.  You will find about 150 stones in these two rows and a third less obvious row.The purpose of these types of rows is unclear.  It is thought they may be religious or ceremonial., from the Bronze Age, about 3300BC.   The first picture you can see the stones in the distance, I wanted to show the landscape. 

 

This is a cist - an ancient burial chamber.  As recent as August 2011 the excavation of a prehistoric cremation burial discovered in a stone built cist (which covers a grave), on one of Dartmoor's highest points, revealed an insight into life and death on Dartmoor over 4,000 years ago. The burial contained beautiful and significant items belonging to a young Bronze Age woman.  (Not this one, but a cist nearby)

After that, the rows of stones.  

Just past these rows was a stone circle with stones indicating the direction of the summer and winter solstice. 

This large stone lines up with another on the far hill to show the direction of the sun.  The stone circle are those small stones you see in the background.  It is interesting to think that our ancestors could have stood here or in a similar kind of place.

Additionally, all around was evidence of stones used for the base of huts or for penning in animals. It would be the same type of huts at Stonehenge.  

No one knows where the people went, but it is assumed that the weather grew harsher and made the area unlivable for thousands of years.  During medieval times, the weather significantly improved and people moved back in.  It is still a harsh windswept place, and home to many free roaming animals including these cute ponies that ran by. 

Even though it was green, it weirdly reminded me of my trip to Death Valley California.  

We stopped at a scenic tavern for lunch and then headed back to town.  

Walking into the hotel, a townsperson just walked in front of our group and sang a 5 verse song g about Dartmoor.  Our guide did not plan it, the man just did it.  That’s the man on the far right.  

Another fun day and tomorrow we are off to Cornwall!