Fig. 67.
Both of these examples, if denuded of their mounds, would form striking and very perfect stone circles, and would be among the best remaining examples of small “Druidical circles,” as they are commonly called.
Fig. 68.
Where the circles have been formed of upright stones, they have not, certainly, always been covered with the mound, but have formed a kind of ring fence, a sort of sacred enclosure, around the barrow. A great number of examples of this kind exist in different districts, and will easily be recognised by the zealous archæologist. The circle next shown, on figs. [68] and [69], is that on Stanton Moor, known by the name of the “Nine Ladies.” This circle, of which a plan is here given, is formed of a circular mound of earth, on which the upright stones are placed. It is about thirty-six feet in diameter. It has formerly consisted of a larger number of stones; those that are now remaining being at irregular distances, varying from eight to nineteen feet apart. In the centre are the remains of a rifled sepulchral mound.
Fig. 69.
Another circle, bearing the same name, “The Nine Ladies,” is on Hartle Moor, but of this only four stones are now remaining. It has undoubtedly been a sepulchral mound, encircled by upright stones. On other parts of these moors other circles have existed, or still exist, which have, by excavations, been proved to have enclosed sepulchral deposits.
On Brassington Moor, near a fine chambered tumulus, now unfortunately destroyed, existed two similar circles, the one thirty-nine, and the other twenty-two, feet in diameter. On Leam Moor, too, circles are known to have existed, surrounding interments. On Eyam Moor circles of this kind, encircling sepulchral mounds, exist. One of these is about a hundred feet in diameter, and is, like the “Nine Ladies” on Stanton Moor, formed of a circular mound of earth, on which the stones are placed. Only ten of the stones remain in situ. In the centre a cist was discovered many years ago. Other circles occur in the same county, on Abney Moor, on Froggat Edge, on the East Moor, on Hathersage Moor, and in other localities.
