Principal Archaeological Landscape: Burcombe mining complex (24)
Authority | Exmoor National Park Authority |
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Date assigned | 01 January 2011 |
Date last amended | |
Date revoked |
Previously known as Blue Gate and Roman Lode
Location
Burcombe PAL is located on the south side of the river Barle, to the south west of Simonsbath with Blue Gate at its southern end. It is dominated by Dry Bridge Combe and Burcombe.
Description of Archaeology
There is evidence of mineral exploitation dating from the early Bronze Age to the early 20th century. The most obvious topographic feature is Roman Lode, a 600m long openwork which despite its name is undated but probably reflects mineral extraction over millennia. A triangular area of pits at the east end of this feature was investigated under the Exmoor Iron Project in the early 2000’s. Detailed results of this work are currently unpublished. The most extensive mining operations were carried out in the 19th century in the area to the south of Cornham Ford. A second area is focused on Deer Park, to the north east of Blue Gate. This area in particular has exceptionally well preserved field remains supported by detailed cartographic and documentary evidence.
Principal significance
This PAL is significant due to the presence of Roman Lode, the largest openwork on Exmoor. In addition, the remains at Blue Gate are exceptionally well preserved. The PAL exhibits a wide chronological range for mineral exploitation, from the Bronze Age until the early 20th century.
External Links (0)
Sources (1)
Location
Grid reference | Centred SS 7563 3820 (1819m by 1375m) |
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Map sheet | SS73NE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (46)
- A post-medieval leat on Cornham Brake (Monument) (MSO7073)
- Blue Gate Iron Mine (Monument) (MSO6918)
- Bronze Age standing stone at Drybridge Combe (Monument) (MSO7064)
- Cornham Ford footbridge (Monument) (MEM22271)
- Exmoor Royal Forest (Monument) (MEM22088)
- Miners cottages at Cornham Ford (Monument) (MSO7142)
- Possible Post-Medieval Drainage Ditch on Burcombe (Monument) (MEM23954)
- Possible Post-Medieval Mound on Burcombe (Monument) (MEM23967)
- Possible Post-Medieval Prospecting Pit on the Eastern Edge of Burcombe (Monument) (MEM23942)
- Post Medieval Mound on Burcombe (Monument) (MEM23966)
- Post-medieval adit on Drybridge Combe (Monument) (MSO7067)
- Post-Medieval Bank and Ditches Extending Between Dry Bridge Combe and Burcombe (Monument) (MEM23962)
- Post-Medieval Bank on the Eastern Edge of Burcombe (Monument) (MEM23937)
- Post-Medieval Bank on the Eastern Edge of Burcombe (Monument) (MEM23938)
- Post-Medieval Bank on the Eastern Edge of Burcombe (Monument) (MEM23939)
- Post-Medieval Drainage Cut on the Eastern Edge of Burcombe (Monument) (MEM23943)
- Post-Medieval Drainage Ditch Extending South Along Drybridge Combe (Monument) (MEM23963)
- Post-medieval drainage ditches across Halscombe and Deer Park (Monument) (MMO2882)
- Post-medieval drainage ditches around Horcombe, Burcombe and Wester Emmetts (Monument) (MMO2715)
- Post-medieval drainage ditches on Burcombe (Monument) (MMO2881)
- Post-medieval drainage ditches on Deer Park (Monument) (MMO2883)
- Post-Medieval Extractive Pit on Burcombe (Monument) (MEM23953)
- Post-medieval iron workings 'The Roman Adit' at Cornham Ford (Monument) (MSO6812)
- Post-Medieval Linear Mining or Prospecting Openwork on Burcombe (Monument) (MEM23944)
- Post-Medieval Mound on Burcombe (Monument) (MEM23965)
- Post-Medieval Mound on the Eastern Edge of Burcombe (Monument) (MEM23936)
- Post-medieval peat cutting on Burcombe (Monument) (MMO2931)
- Post-medieval peat cutting on Deer Park and Little Halscombe (Monument) (MMO2932)
- Post-medieval peat cutting southwest of Cornham Ford (Monument) (MMO2768)
- Post-medieval pits or quarries on Burcombe (Monument) (MMO2948)
- Post-Medieval Pospecting Work and Spoil Dump on Burcombe (Monument) (MEM23946)
- Post-Medieval Prospecting Cut on the Eastern Side of Burcombe (Monument) (MEM23940)
- Post-Medieval Prospecting Cut on the Eastern Side of Burcombe (Monument) (MEM23941)
- Post-Medieval Prospecting Pit on Burcombe (Monument) (MEM23947)
- Post-medieval quarry north of Blue Gate (Monument) (MMO2947)
- Post-medieval roads on Deer Park (Monument) (MSO7078)
- Post-Medieval Ruined Building on Burcombe (Building) (MEM23964)
- Post-Medieval Stone Culvert on Burcombe (Monument) (MEM23945)
- Probable Bronze Age standing stone on Drybridge Combe (Monument) (MSO12241)
- Roman Lode Ironworkings (Monument) (MSO6804)
- The Fortescue Monument at Drybridge Combe (Monument) (MSO11052)
- Two post-medieval adits at the head of Drybridge Combe (Monument) (MSO7065)
- Two post-medieval adits on Drybridge Combe (Monument) (MSO7066)
- Two post-medieval prospecting pits at Burcombe (Monument) (MSO7060)
- Undated Holloway on Burcombe (Monument) (MEM23948)
- Undated Possible Holloway on Burcombe (Monument) (MEM23949)