Oval in form, it is the second-largest Neolithic mound in Britain after Silbury Hill, in Wiltshire. Sitting on top of Gop Hill (823 feet), a natural outcrop of Carboniferous Limestone, the cairn mound is 75-80m in diameter and 12m high.[1] There is evidence that there was a considerable amount of stone on the top of hill, but excavations have not uncovered a burial chamber or other underground works, which may indicate that it was used as a look-out or hill fort. However prehistoric animal remains were found both in the mound itself and in Gop Cave below. The cave also contained human remains.[2][3]
In the 17th century, its prominent position allowed a beacon to be placed there.
