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This is a rare and unusual type of
monument to find in the Peak District. Although there are only three
standing stones here it is thought that they are the remains of a
'four poster' a particular type of stone
circle that has, as its name implies, four stones usually laid
out so they would form the perimeter of an imaginary circle. As we
do not know how many stones, if any, are missing from the site we
cannot be sure of the exact form of the monument but given the other
unusual Bronze
Age sites on Gibbet Moor such as the square cairn
of Hob Hurst's House and the alignment
to the north it would seem quite possible that it is indeed a four
poster. The stones measure about 60-70 cm high and stand 2 metres apart with an axis of north-northeast to south-southwest located on an area of the moor that slopes gently northeast towards Umberley Brook, the photograph above is the view looking northwest towards Baslow and Curbar. The distance from any path and the tall grasses that threaten to engulf the stones give this site a real air of tranquility although when it was constructed it would have formed part of the busy settlement and farming community that surrounded it - to the southwest are the remains of hut platforms and a possible ring cairn while other cairns stand close-by and a small cist is buried in the heather a short distance away at SK2815771021 (image below). This cist seems to be formed of a large earthfast boulder with smaller stones forming the remaining sides of the tomb. |
 Nearby cist with natural boulder to the left |
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