Nine Stone Close, Harthill, Derbyshire
Latitude 53.160444N Longitude -1.664375W OS Grid Reference – SK 2254 6264
Also Known as: ‘Grey Ladies’ and ‘Hartle Moor Stone Circle’, and is located close to Stanton Moor.
Assuming that this is an arc, and if the 5th stone is in the arc on the spring/autumn sunrise radius and the 6th in the required observation point then this site would match the criteria defined above for irrefutable proof of the season/weather forecaster function of some stone circles.
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Stanton Moor is in a fine position overlooking both the Derwent and Wye valleys. Possibly it is for this reason that it was chosen as a centre by the Bronze Age inhabitants of the area, who have left so many traces of their occupation upon the moor. The moor contains at least 70 barrows as well as stone circles, ancient enclosures and standing stones
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Source - Peak District Information, Stanton Moor
The 70 barrows and 'ancient enclosures' indicates a large population center of settle farmers who would need a season forecaster.
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The stones that remain here are quite tall, between 6½ and 8 feet tall. One of them seems to have originally been taken from a stream or river-bed. They stand upon the small rise in the field and has diameters of 40 and 45 feet respectively.
Aubrey Burl described there being 7 uprights (?) still here in 1847, and the early drawing of the site near the end of the 18th century ( ~ 1790) by Major Hayman Rooke highlights 6 stones around the spot where the circle now stands.
In J.P. Heathcote’s (1947) summary, he wrote a description of the site.
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Source - The Northern Antiquarian
megalithix.wordpress.com/2009/12/01/nine-stones-close/
Note, the 7 uprights are not confirmed by Major Rooke’s drawing of the site which shows 6 ?
The weathering on the side of the fallen midsummer sunrise radius stone indicates that it either fell shortly after it’s erection or that it was taken from a stream or river-bed.
A useful description of the re-erection of the two fallen stones is given by J. P. Heathcote MA, in the Derbyshire Archaeological Society’s Journal, 1939, number 130 - ‘The Nine Stones, Harthill Moor‘. It should be noted that the North of the diagram is 180° from True North. i.e. it is pointing the wrong way !
The lack of ornamental regularity or symmetry indicates a practical function rather than a political or religious one. It’s rough build is typical of farming where only the practical functionality is considered. The only regularity apparent is the orientation towards the sunrises progression. In this it is similar to the Y and Z holes arc at the Wiltshire Stonehenge site. This arc is also lacking in symmetry and roughly built.
In descriptions of the site it is noted that a 5th stone has been found being used as a gatepost, and that a 6th is incorporated in the stone wall close to the site. Assuming that it is an arc, and if the 5th stone is in the arc on the spring/autumn sunrise radius and the 6th in the required observation point then this site would match the criteria defined above for irrefutable proof of the season/weather forecaster function of some stone circles.
However further investigation of the site is required for this.
Please refer to the diagram and photos below.
