MSO7607 - Possible medieval or World War Two hollow way on North Hill (Monument)

Summary

A hollow way along the spine of North Hill, measuring 10 metres wide and 0.4 metres deep and possibly of medieval date, though it may also be associated with World War Two tank training in the area.

Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record .

Type and Period (2)

Protected Status

Full Description

Between SS 94336 47399 and SS 94552 47493 is a pronounced hollow way. It is 10 metres wide and 0.4 metres deep. It presumably represents an old route along the spine of North Hill, but cannot be equated with tracks shown on the Ordnance Survey 1st Edition mapping of 1889 [1]. Found during field reconnaissance and surveyed at 1:2500 scale as part of RCHME fieldwork on the Exmoor National Park holding on North Hill.[2,3] The hollow way referred to above [1-3] is visible as an earthwork on aerial photographs. The hollow way is centred at SS 9447 4746 extends about 500m from SS 9429 4738 to SS 9471 4761. It is probable that this track was constructed during the Second World War when the area was used for tank training (MMO627). The track is clearly visible on aerial photographs taken in 1946 and appears to have been heavily used. [4,5]

Sources/Archives (5)

  • <1> Map: Ordnance Survey. 1868-1901. County Series; 1st Edition 25 Inch Map. 1:2500. 1889, Somerset 34(4).
  • <2> Unpublished document: Wilson-North, R.. Field Investigators Comments. RCHME Field Investigation, 13 November 1997.
  • <3> Report: Riley, H. and Wilson-North, R.. 1997. The field archaeology of North Hill: An archaeological survey of the Exmoor National Park holding.
  • <4> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. RAF/106G/UK/1655 3010-3011 (11 July 1946).
  • <5>XY Archive: Severn Estuary Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment: SS 94 NW. MD000133. [Mapped feature: #39995 ]

External Links (1)

Other Statuses/References

  • Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MMO642
  • Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MSO12436
  • Local List Status (Unassessed)
  • National Monuments Record reference: SS 94 NW95
  • National Park
  • Pastscape HOBID (was Monarch UID): 1102260
  • Somerset SMR PRN: 35636

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred SS 94443 47445 (216m by 94m) (Centred on)
Map sheet SS94NW
Civil Parish MINEHEAD WITHOUT, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (3)

Record last edited

Nov 25 2020 2:00PM

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