MSO6983 - Post-medieval peat cuttings northwest of Driver Farm (Monument)
Summary
Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record caveat document.
Type and Period (4)
- (Former Type) ROUND BARROW? (Bronze Age - 2500 BC (Possible) to 701 BC (Possible))
- (Former Type) HUT CIRCLE? (Early Bronze Age to Late Iron Age - 2500 BC (Possible) to 42 AD (Possible))
- PEAT CUTTING (Post Medieval to AD 20th Century - 1540 AD (Possible) to 1999 AD (Possible))
- (Former Type) ENCLOSURE? (Early Bronze Age to Late Iron Age - 2500 BC (Possible) to 42 AD (Possible))
Protected Status
- None recorded
Full Description
Group of two circular features perhaps hut circles or barrows together with an irregular enclosure. Also some linear features and peat cutting. [1] SS731409. The reference falls on a gentle south facing slope, a damp area of rough grass and rushes with old peat cuttings, wet hollows, linear banks and drainage ditches. There is no trace of this alleged enclosure or circular featues which may be a misinterpretation of peat cuttings or damp hollows. [2] No evidence of an enclosure or hut circles in the area of this reference could be found in the ground, only shallow irregular and small circular peat cutting activity approximately 0.15 metres deep and numerous drainage ditches. Situated in an area of rushes and rough grass on the gentle south facing slopes to the east of Short Combe. [3] A large area of peat cutting, of probable post-medieval date, is visible on aerial photographs as numerous small pits and irregular earthworks on moorland northwest of Driver Farm and north of Goat Hill, covering an area of approximately 2.5 hectares. The earthworks are centred on SS 730 407 and are of a variety of shapes and sizes, from square or rectangular pits measuring 2 to 3 metres across, to less regularly shaped and curved pits up to 40 metres across. Due to the vast number of pits visible on aerial photographs, only a representative sample has been transcribed, indicating distribution and form. Peat cutting is known to have continued on Exmoor until very recently, and may continue in places. Similar areas are visible to the south, and across The Chains to the north. [4-7] A study of the archaeology and history of peat exploitation on Exmoor’s moorlands provides additional background on the practice and sites. [8] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [9]
Sources/Archives (9)
- <1> SSO307 Photograph: National Monuments Record OAP SF1460.
- <2> SMO7324 Unpublished document: Sainsbury, I.S.S. Field Investigators Comments. RCHME Field Investigation, 26 June 1995.
- <3> SSO1170 Survey: Faxon, Keith. 1998. Record card from McDonnell, R. Pinkworthy Estate: An Archaeological Survey for Management Purpose. 19/9/1995.
- <4> SMO4068 Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. RAF CPE/UK/1980 3149-50. 11/04/1947.
- <5> SMO4068 Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. RAF CPE/UK/2082 4106-07. 19/05/1947.
- <6> SEM7440 Monograph: Riley, H. and Wilson-North, R.. 2001. The Field Archaeology of Exmoor. English Heritage. P. 47, 143.
- <7>XY SMO7565 Archive: English Heritage. 2007-2009. Exmoor National Park NMP: SS 74 SW. MD002182. [Mapped feature: #38907 ]
- <8> SEM8135 Report: Riley, H.. 2014. Turf Cutting on Exmoor: An archaeological and historical study - project report.
- <9> SEM7987 Digital archive: Historic England. Various. National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) entry. 895568, Extant 13 January 2022.
External Links (1)
- http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=895568 (Pastscape entry: 895568)
Other Statuses/References
- Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MMO297
- Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MSO10983
- Local List Status (Unassessed)
- National Monuments Record reference: SS 74 SW72
- National Park: Exmoor National Park
- NRHE HOB UID (Pastscape): 895568
- Somerset SMR PRN (Somerset): 33122
Location
Grid reference | Centred SS 730 408 (278m by 264m) |
---|---|
Map sheet | SS74SW |
Civil Parish | EXMOOR, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET |
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (1)
Related Events/Activities (1)
Record last edited
Jan 13 2022 12:34PM
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