A ring cairn is a prehistoric ritual monument comprising a circular bank of stones up to about 20m in diameter surrounding a hollow central area. The bank may be kerbed on the inside, and sometimes the outside as well, with small uprights or laid boulders. Within the central hollow there may be charcoal-filled pits and sometimes burials, occasionally under small mounds.
Ring cairns are mainly found in upland areas of England, and are mostly discovered and authenticated by fieldwork and ground-level survey. Some ring cairns are large enough to be visible on aerial photographs, although surface checking is usually needed to authenticate interpretation.
This burial cairn is a good example with the grave (Kistvaen) in the centre being clearly seen.
This Kistvaen allegedly contained an amount of Gold as grave goods hence it's name. It was common practice for the occupant to be buried with Grave goods for use in the afterlife.
For more info on Kist's visit my friends excellent Dartmoor website at
(www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/tomb_raider.htm