Scheduled MonumentsEnglandThree prehistoric carved rocks on Goldsborough Rigg, Cotherstone Moor, 860m SSE Pitcher House

Three prehistoric carved rocks on Goldsborough Rigg, Cotherstone Moor, 860m SSE Pitcher House

England
List entry 1016598
Nation
England
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic England (NHLE)

Overview

History & significance

Three prehistoric carved rocks on Goldsborough Rigg, Cotherstone Moor, 860m SSE Pitcher House is an ancient monument comprising three rock outcrops bearing carved cup-and-ring marks dating to the Bronze Age. The carvings, which consist of circular depressions surrounded by concentric rings pecked into the stone surface, are characteristic of rock art produced during the second millennium BCE in northern Britain. Located on the open moorland of Cotherstone Moor in County Durham, these rocks represent a significant example of prehistoric ritual or territorial marking practised by Bronze Age communities in the upland areas of northern England. The precise function of such cup-and-ring marks remains debated among scholars, though they are widely interpreted as having held symbolic, ceremonial, or astronomical significance for the societies that created them.

Three prehistoric carved rocks on Goldsborough Rigg, Cotherstone Moor, 860m SSE Pitcher House is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1016598. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Three prehistoric carved rocks on Goldsborough Rigg, Cotherstone Moor, 860m SSE Pitcher House?

Three prehistoric carved rocks on Goldsborough Rigg, Cotherstone Moor, 860m SSE Pitcher House is an ancient monument comprising three rock outcrops bearing carved cup-and-ring marks dating to the Bronze Age. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1016598.

Who is responsible for protecting Three prehistoric carved rocks on Goldsborough Rigg, Cotherstone Moor, 860m SSE Pitcher House?

Three prehistoric carved rocks on Goldsborough Rigg, Cotherstone Moor, 860m SSE Pitcher House is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1016598.

What other scheduled monuments are near Three prehistoric carved rocks on Goldsborough Rigg, Cotherstone Moor, 860m SSE Pitcher House?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Roman signal station 190m north west of Vale House Farm (5 km), Romano-British settlement site to the east and south-east of East Mellwaters farmhouse (5.2 km), Late prehistoric walled settlement 200m south-south-east of East Mellwaters farmhouse (5.4 km).

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