Spinsters' Rock facts for kids
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 Location in Devon
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| Location | Devon |
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| Coordinates | 50°42′08″N 3°50′27″W / 50.702122°N 3.8409521°W |
| Type | Dolmen |
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| Periods | Neolithic |
Spinster's Rock is a very old stone structure found near Drewsteignton in Devon, England. It's a type of ancient tomb called a dolmen. People built it a long, long time ago, during the Neolithic period, also known as the New Stone Age. This amazing monument sits on Shilstone Farm, west of the village, not far from the A382 road.
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Spinster's Rock: An Ancient Mystery
Spinster's Rock is a famous example of a dolmen in England. It is made up of three large granite stones standing upright. These stones are between 1.7 and 2.3 meters (about 5.5 to 7.5 feet) tall. On top of these upright stones rests a huge flat capstone. This capstone measures about 4.5 by 3.1 meters (about 14.7 by 10.1 feet).
What is a Dolmen?
A dolmen is a type of ancient stone structure. It was often used as a burial chamber or tomb in prehistoric times. Dolmens are part of a larger group of monuments called megaliths, which means "large stones." They were built by early farming communities.
The History of Spinster's Rock
This ancient monument has stood for thousands of years. However, in 1862, Spinster's Rock actually collapsed. Luckily, it was put back together in the same year. This shows how important it was to people, even back then, to preserve such an old site. When it was restored, no special items or artifacts were found inside or around it.
Nearby Stone Structures
Some old reports from the 1700s talk about other stone circles and lines of stones nearby. These reports are from a time when people were just starting to study ancient sites. Because of this, some experts think these old descriptions might not be completely accurate. Today, there are a few other standing stones close to Spinster's Rock. However, only two of them seem to line up with the dolmen itself.
Spinster's Rock remains an important historical site. It helps us learn about the people who lived in Devon thousands of years ago.
