MMO1903 - Medieval or post-medieval peat cutting on Furzehill Common (Monument)

Summary

An area of peat cutting and possible drainage can be seen on Furzehill Common, on aerial photographs of the 1940s onwards. A smaller area of turbary can be seen to the northwest.

Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record .

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

  • None recorded

Full Description

An area of peat cutting and possible drainage can be seen in an area of Furzehill Common enclosed in the post-medieval period, on aerial photographs of the 1940s onwards. The cuttings are very irregularly shaped and distributed and have probably been worked over many years, potentially from the medieval period. However, a single very narrow linear cut over 160 metres in length and more regularly shaped pits to the east of the site may support the suggestion that more organised attempts at peat extraction were made in the post-medieval period. The cuttings are centred, roughly, on SS 7340 4527, at an elevation between 350 and 360 metres above Ordnance Datum. A smaller area of turbary can be seen approximately 300 metres to the northwest. [1-3] A study of the archaeology and history of peat exploitation on Exmoor’s moorlands provides additional background on the practice and sites. [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]

Sources/Archives (5)

  • <1> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. RAF 106G/UK/1501 (F20) 3316-7 (13 May 1946).
  • <2> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. RAF 540/931 (F20) 3034-5 (8 November 1952).
  • <3>XY Archive: 2007-2009. Exmoor National Park NMP: SS 74 NW. MD002173. [Mapped feature: #38877 ]
  • <4> Report: Riley, H.. 2014. Turf Cutting on Exmoor: An archaeological and historical study - project report.
  • <5> Digital archive: Historic England. Various. National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) entry. 1465005, Extant 17 December 2021.

External Links (1)

Other Statuses/References

  • Local List Status (Unassessed)
  • National Monuments Record reference: SS 74 NW123
  • NRHE HOB UID (Pastscape): 1465005

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred SS 7341 4520 (266m by 287m) Aerial Survey
Map sheet SS74NW
Civil Parish LYNTON AND LYNMOUTH, NORTH DEVON, DEVON

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Dec 17 2021 10:45AM

Feedback?

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