MDE8989 - Possible Bronze Age barrow or post-medieval peat stack on Furzehill Common (Monument)

Summary

An earthen ditched mound, 4.5 metres in diameter and 0.3 metres high. It has been suggested that this could represent a Bronze Age barrow or a former peat stack.

Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record .

Type and Period (2)

Protected Status

Full Description

SS 7364 4496 Peat stack. At SS 7364 4496, on the northeast edge of Furzehill Common is a flat topped earthern mound, turf covered. The mound is quite circular, 4.0 metres in diameter and 0.3 metres high. It is enclosed by a very slight ditch 0.9 metres wide and at best 0.1 metres deep. On the side the ditch has been mutilated by a track. Although a prehistoric origin cannot be entirely discounted it seems likely that the mound represents a former peat stack. There is evidence of peat digging on the Common and two larger but less perfect mounds were found within 150 metres to the westnorthwest. [1] SS 73643 44963. An earthern ditched mound, probably a barrow. This low mound, 4.5 metres in diameter and 0.3 metres high, is basically as described by the RCHME. Probing revealed a slight stone content but no more than the surrounding natural ground. [2] The feature described above is clearly visible on aerial photographs as a suboval mound measuring approximately 4.5 metres in diameter. It lies in a prominent position, close to the summit of Furzehill Common, and two other mounds can be seen within 200 metres, at least one of which has been identified as a Bronze Age barrow or cairn. [3,4] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [6]

Sources/Archives (6)

  • <1> Unpublished document: Quinnell, N.V.. Field Investigators Comments. RCHME Field Investigation, 20 January 1992, NV Quinnell..
  • <2> Unpublished document: Sainsbury, I.S.S. Field Investigators Comments. RCHME Field Investigation, 12 September 1994.
  • <3> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. RAF 540/931 4084-85 (8 November 1952).
  • <4>XY Archive: English Heritage. 2007-2009. Exmoor National Park NMP: SS 74 SW. MD002182. [Mapped feature: #47033 ]
  • <5> Report: Riley, H.. 2014. Turf Cutting on Exmoor: An archaeological and historical study - project report.
  • <6> Digital archive: Historic England. Various. National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) entry. 872346, Extant 13 January 2022.

External Links (1)

Other Statuses/References

  • Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MMO288
  • Local List Status (Unassessed)
  • National Monuments Record reference: SS 74 SW99
  • National Park: Exmoor National Park
  • NRHE HOB UID (Pastscape): 872346

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred SS 7364 4496 (8m by 8m)
Map sheet SS74SW
Civil Parish LYNTON AND LYNMOUTH, NORTH DEVON, DEVON

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (2)

Related Events/Activities (2)

Record last edited

Jan 13 2022 12:16PM

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