Principal Archaeological Landscape: Furzehill (2)

Location The area encompasses Furzehill and Thorn Hill, part of a series of open heaths running broadly south-north. It is defined on its western side by Ruckham Combe and on its north side by the edge of enclosed land. The southern edge partly follows the Royal Forest boundary and is on the northern side of The Chains. Description of Archaeology The area contains an unusual concentration of early prehistoric archaeological sites including a number of hut platforms, fragments of prehistoric field systems and clearance cairns across the whole area, stone settings, stone rows and cairns, and a high potential peat system across the top of Furzehill Common. It also includes a number of boundary stones marking the northern edge of the Royal Forest. Principal significance This PAL is significant because of the complexity of the early prehistoric archaeology. The high concentration of settlement within an area of this size is unusual and in addition there are a number of burial cairns and two stone rows within this landscape. An area of high palaeo-ecological potential exists within the peat body on Furzehill Common. Combined these form an exceptional archaeological landscape. English Heritage survey by Hazel Riley (2007) demonstrates that much of the prehistoric landscape is largely complete and relatively undamaged. It is an area that can make a significant contribution to understanding the prehistory of Exmoor. While the exceptional prehistoric archaeology is the reason for designating this area as a PAL, it also includes a number of Royal Forest boundary stones.