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.JPG) View of the two circles from the south | |
  Grey Wethers Shown within Devon | |
| Location | Devon grid referenceSX639831 |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 50°37′54″N3°55′33″W / 50.63166°N 3.92577°W /50.63166; -3.92577 |
| Type | Stone circles |
| History | |
| Periods | Bronze Age |
Grey Wethers consists of a pair ofprehistoricstone circles, situated on grassyplateau to the north ofPostbridge,Dartmoor, in the United Kingdom.
The circles are each approximately 33 m (108 ft) in diameter, and less than five metres apart. Their centre points are aligned almost exactly north to south. The northern circle has 20 stones remaining, while the southern has 29 – all of a relatively consistent size, mostly between 1.2 and 1.4 m (3.9 and 4.6 ft) in height.
An excavation was carried out in 1898 and a number ofcharcoal fragments were discovered within the circles. The circles were restored and many fallen stones re-erected in 1909.
As with many ancient Dartmoor landmarks, Grey Wethers is the subject of localfolklore, explaining the origin of the name ('wether' is anOld English word meaningsheep).
One story tells of a farmer who had recently moved to Dartmoor and was foolish enough to criticise the sheep on sale atTavistock Market. He stopped for a drink at theWarren House Inn, and helped by several pints ofcider, the locals persuaded him that there was an excellent flock of high quality sheep nearby which he would be welcome to buy. They walked off in search of them, and through the mist the farmer saw what he took to be a fine flock. He agreed to the sale, and returned to the site the following morning to find that what he had taken to be sheep were actually the stones of Grey Wethers.
Media related toGrey Wethers at Wikimedia Commons