The site was first recorded by the Welsh antiquarian Edward Lhuyd around 1700[2] and a symbol of the cromlech appeared on Martyn's 1748 map of Cornwall.

[6] In 1891 it was recorded that "curious marks" had been noticed some years previously, "on a stone under a thorn tree, on the site of what seems to be a walled barrow, about 100 yards north of Carwynnen Quoit."

The OS found no trace of the supposed walled barrow or interesting stonework in this area in 1971.

[8] Together with the Cornwall Heritage Trust they employed professional archaeologists to help research the site prior to its reconstruction.

A website called the Giant's Quoit was created to showcase the finds, explain archaeological evidence and present the restoration process.