MEM23937 - Post-Medieval Bank on the Eastern Edge of Burcombe (Monument)

A linear mound or bank aligned northeast-southwest, 18m long, up to 3.5m wide and 0.25m high with an irregular surface was noted by Cornwall Council Archaeology during a walkover survey of Wester Emmetts and Burcombe. There are occasional hollows up to 1m wide along the sides of the feature but no clear ditches; its is possible, however, that this represents spoil from a prospecting trench of an earlier phase than most of the others in the area, and that perhaps more probably, these features may be associated with the nearby Blue Gate Mine, active between c1835 and WW1 (MMO602). The feature is aligned on, and may be a continuation of MEM23936. [1] A turf bank likely generated by prospecting activity situated north a low mound (MEM23936) and west of a two banks (MEM23938; MEM23939) was noted during a follow-up walkover survey. This may relate to mining of Iron Ore recorded on Burcombe, but there is a degree of uncertainty of this by the Mires Officer. [2]