MMO2285 - Medieval or post-medieval charcoal burning platform on Cloutsham Ball (Monument)

Summary

A small circular platform is visible as an earthwork on aerial photographs of the 1940s onwards, which may be the remains of a charcoal burning platform producing fuel for the medieval or post-medieval local production of iron.

Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record .

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

A circular platform approximately 10 metres in diameter is visible as an earthwork on aerial photographs of the 1940s onwards, centred on circa SS 8938 4341 above the wooded valley slopes of Cloutsham Ball. It is possible this small terrace is evidence for the burning of wood for charcoal, for use as fuel in medieval or post-medieval iron production. Such platforms were cut into the slopes of heavily wooded valleys to allow the controlled burning of wood close to the source of timber. This platform may have been used to produce fuel for the 16th Century smelting site approximately 550 metres to the northeast in Horner Wood. [1-3] An earthwork platform on the north facing slopes of Cloutsham Ball is probably the remains of a charcoal burning platform. The date of the earthwork is uncertain. [4,5] 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> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. RAF CPE/UK/1980 F20 3207-8 (11 April 1947).
  • <2> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. NMR OS/79013 260-1 (17 April 1979).
  • <3>XY Archive: 2007-2009. Exmoor National Park NMP: SS 84 SE. MD002185. [Mapped feature: #41645 ]
  • <4> Report: McDonnell, R.R.J.. 1994. Horner Wood: Report on the Preliminary Archaeological Field Assessment of Two Sample Areas. Richard McDonnel. P.5-6.
  • <5> Monograph: Cannell, J.. 2005. The Archaeology of Woodland Exploitation in the Greater Exmoor Area in the Historic Period. Archaeopress BAR British Series. BAR 398. P.109-131.
  • <6> Digital archive: Historic England. Various. National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) entry. 1473484, Extant 16 March 2022.

External Links (1)

Other Statuses/References

  • Local List Status (Unassessed)
  • National Monuments Record reference: SS 84 SE163
  • National Park: Exmoor National Park
  • NRHE HOB UID (Pastscape): 1473484

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred SS 8938 4341 (13m by 13m) Aerial Survey
Map sheet SS84SE
Civil Parish LUCCOMBE, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (2)

Record last edited

Mar 17 2022 12:28PM

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