MMO1750 - Possible medieval settlement west of Slocombeslade (Monument)

Tracks and hollow ways of possible medieval date are visible on aerial photographs as earthworks to the west of Slocombeslade. To the south of Baze Lane/Easter Lane, centred on circa SS 7748 4705, two possible hollow ways are visible, dividing an area currently used as open pasture into two or three plots of land, possibly former building plots. The wider, westernmost Holloway also connects a trackway to the south, which was possibly becoming relict by the time of the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map of 1889, to Baze Lane. To the north of the road, centred on circa SS 7747 4707, further relict trackways and possible platforms may be visible as earthworks, but are too amorphous on the available photographs to meaningfully transcribe. On the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map of 1889 this settlement is called Lower Slocombeslade, the settlements of Slocombeslade and Higher Slocombeslade being located approximately 400 metres to the southwest. A tentative interpretation of these earthworks as the remains of a shrunken medieval settlement is suggested here. By 1995 many of the earthworks have been damaged or levelled by ploughing, but further ground based investigation is recommended. [1-4] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [5]