The Central Archaeology Service, fieldwork projects
Mitchells Fold Stone Circle, Shropshire
This is a prehistoric ring of upright stones in the Guardianship of English Heritage,
situated towards the south-western end of Stapeley Hill in the parish of Chirbury close to
the Welsh border. In June 1994, the monument was badly damaged: the two tallest stones
were pushed over, and lay recumbent upon the ground beside their respective sockets; the
fabric of the stones was damaged, as were the actual sockets, destroying the relationship
between the stones and their archaeological context. The CAS undertook the recording of
the damaged areas prior to the re-erection of the two stones. A detailed topographic
survey of the area was also undertaken at the same time.
Detailed recording of the socket holes established the former height above ground level,
the alignment, and the attitude of the stones, and proved essential for their accurate
re-erection in their positions prior to damage. No records exist of any ground works or
excavations at the site, but it was clearly demonstrated that one of the damaged stones
had been re-erected in the nineteenth or twentieth century. However, the other appeared
not to have been disturbed since its original construction. The accurate and safe resiting
of the stones in their original settings was carried out in conjunction with the Regional
Design and Works branch of English Heritage.
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Detailed recording of the socket holes established the former height above ground level,
the alignment, and the attitude of the stones, and proved essential for their accurate
re-erection in their positions prior to damage. No records exist of any ground works or
excavations at the site, but it was clearly demonstrated that one of the damaged stones
had been re-erected in the nineteenth or twentieth century. However, the other appeared
not to have been disturbed since its original construction. The accurate and safe resiting
of the stones in their original settings was carried out in conjunction with the Regional
Design and Works branch of English Heritage.