Pawton Quoit, Neolithic portal dolmen in Cornwall, United Kingdom
Description
Pawton Quoit is a Neolithic burial chamber in Cornwall built from stone blocks arranged as a simple passage grave. The structure stands on a north-facing ridge near St Breock with three supporting stones holding up a massive capstone that has broken over time.
History
This burial site was constructed between 3500 and 2600 BC during the Neolithic period. Early maps from 1813 labeled it as 'Druid's Altar', reflecting how people reinterpreted the ancient structure through their own cultural lens.
Culture
The site represents one of twenty portal dolmens discovered in Britain, with most concentrated in Cornwall and several found in Oxfordshire.
Practical
The site sits on an open ridge requiring a walk through country roads and fields to reach it from the nearest parking areas. The exposed location means weather can be changeable, so come prepared for wind and potential rain.
Did you know?
The capstone weighs roughly 14,400 kilograms, making it the heaviest of all similar monuments in the county. This massive stone has remained in place for thousands of years despite exposure to the elements on the open ridge.
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