Monument record 1442/0/6 - Seven Firs - Earthen Circle.

An Earthen Circle, close to the Engine Vein and known as the Seven Firs. It is 12 yds in diameter. Suggested as a dwelling of Romano-British miners (1). OS describe this circle (b) as a raised platform of earth, c.17m in diameter and 0.7m high. It is sited on a high point and appears to be a tree ring (2).
Perhaps a model example of an earth circle on the Edge (4). The age of association is unknown and it isnt refered to on any maps before 1905. It is refered to however in the Wizard Legend as being on the route the farmer from Mobberley took. Approximately 16-17 metres in diameter and near circular, with 7 or 8 prominent tree bole mounds in the centre (hence the name), a shallow encircling bank and outer ditch and a slightly raised centre. Mis-shaped by tree roots, burrows and tree boles.it may be an intentional feature constructed for the planting of the pine trees in the 18th - 19th century or more likely it was a topographical feature utilised. The original earthwork may be prehistoric. The tip of the north edge is just cut by the Engine Vein, and it may have some damage as a result of the adit entrance blasting in the 1960's (4).

<1> Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 1883 -, Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 19/89 Roeder C P 1901 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3293.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ87NE2.3/1964 (Index). SCH2487.

<3> Longley D, 1977-1978, Longley Archive, /no.517 (Paper Archive). SCH2005.

<4> 1998, Alderley Edge Landscape Project Archive, 115 (Unpublished Report). SCH4334.