MSO6937 - Post-medieval quarrying on Great Woolcombe (Monument)
Summary
Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record caveat document.
Type and Period (2)
Protected Status
- None recorded
Full Description
An area of shallow surface quarrying or mineral extraction is visible as a series of earthworks on the northwestern corner of Great Woolcombe, Exmoor. Centred at approximately SS 7708 3720 and measuring some 70 metres by 14 metres, the earthworks comprise amorphous scoops 0.6 metres deep. A U-shaped mound (which was previously thought to be circular) is presumably a spoil mound from these quarries. The stone was most likely used to build the field walls. Burton refers to "ancient" miners working the surface for iron ore at this location; the term "ancients" was very often used to refer to medieval and early post-medieval iron mining (as at Roman Lode, Burcombe). In the mid 19th Century, two trenches were cut nearby to establish the limit of the lodes of Blue Gate Iron Mine, and the east-west alignment of workings suggest that iron ore may well have been extracted here. [1-6] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [7]
Sources/Archives (7)
- <1> SSO708 Survey: Western Archaeological Trust. 1980s. Exmoor Aerial Photograph Survey. 7737.
- <2> SMO4067 Aerial photograph: Aerial photograph reference number . LHL CPE/UK/1980 4450 (April 1947).
- <3> SMO7329 Unpublished document: Wilson-North, R.. Various. Field Investigators Comments. RCHME Field Investigation, 27 October 1994.
- <4> SMO4068 Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. RAF CPE/UK/2082 4048-49 (19 May 1947).
- <5> SEM7230 Monograph: Burton, R.A.. 1989. The Heritage of Exmoor. Roger A. Burton. 143.
- <6>XY SMO7573 Archive: 2007-2009. Exmoor National Park NMP: SS 73 NE. MD002190. [Mapped feature: #40709 ]
- <7> SEM7987 Digital archive: Historic England. Various. National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) entry. 1099586, Extant 22 November 2021.
External Links (1)
- http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=1099586 (Original Monarch entry: 1099586)
Other Statuses/References
- Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MMO601
- Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MSO11054
- Local List Status (Unassessed)
- National Monuments Record reference: SS 73 NE20
- National Park
- NRHE HOB UID (Pastscape): 1099586
- Somerset SMR PRN: 33193
Location
Grid reference | Centred SS 7706 3718 (95m by 35m) |
---|---|
Map sheet | SS73NE |
Civil Parish | EXMOOR, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET |
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (1)
Record last edited
Nov 22 2021 3:37PM
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