MMO1563 - Medieval and post-medieval fishtraps or breakwaters at Culver Cliff [marine] (Monument)

Summary

Possible medieval and/or post-medieval fish traps or breakwaters, visible as linear and curvilinear structures, were mapped from aerial photographs taken in 1970.

Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record .

Type and Period (2)

Protected Status

Full Description

SS 9625 4798 Possible medieval and/or post-medieval fish traps or breakwaters, visible as linear and curvilinear structures, were mapped from aerial photographs taken in 1970. Located in the intertidal area of Culver Cliff Sand, below Culver Cliff west of Minehead, a 215 metres long series of parallel linear and curvilinear stone ridges or banks aligned perpendicular to the sea have been built. (SS 9618 4805 to SS 9635 4791). These structures are mostly sited on the seaward side of the three V shaped stone built coastal fish weirs that are located on Culver Cliff Sand. It may be that these structures were used to further exploit the sluices, know as guts, at the apices of the fish weirs, that funnelled fish trapped in the tidal pools formed by the weirs as the pools emptied, back to the sea. The linear stone structures would thus provide a further opportunity to collect fish that had escaped from the fish weirs as they are directed along the channels between the stone banks. It could also be that these structures are breakwaters to protect the stone fish weirs to the landward side of them, or to prevent longshore drift from silting up the fish weirs. The linear and curvilinear banks vary in length (about 43 to 108 metres), width (about 1.3 to 5.5 metres) and shape and are still visible in 1999. [1-3]

Sources/Archives (3)

  • <1> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. NMR OS/70066 032 (3 May 1970).
  • <2> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Oblique Aerial Photograph. NMR SS 9647/1 (18281/16) (19 March 1999).
  • <3> Archive: Severn Estuary Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment: SS 94 NE. MD000134.

External Links (1)

Other Statuses/References

  • Local List Status (Require info)
  • National Monuments Record reference: SS 94 NE240
  • NRHE HOB UID (Pastscape): 1455523
  • Shoreline Management Plan 2 (0-20)

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred SS 9626 4797 (226m by 185m) Aerial Survey
Map sheet SS94NE
HER Area NATIONAL MARINE HERITAGE RECORD

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Jan 12 2022 2:49PM

Feedback?

Your feedback is welcome. If you can provide any new information about this record, please contact us.