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Summary

The remains of ridges made for improved drainage and soil depth within an orchard were visible as earthwork banks in two plots to the south-east of Coombe Farm, Ashton, on aerial photographs of 1948 onwards and images derived from lidar data captured between 1998 and 2017.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• ORCHARD (XIX - 1840 AD to 1880 AD (Between))

Full description

Devon County Council, 1838-1848, Tithe Mosaic, approximately 1838-1848 (Cartographic). SDV349431.

The plot in which the banks are visible is depicted as an orchard.

Ordnance Survey, 1880-1899, First Edition Ordnance 25 inch map (Cartographic). SDV336179.

The plot in which the banks are visible is depicted as an orchard.

Royal Air Force, 1948, RAF/CPE/UK/2491, RAF/CPE/UK/2491 RS 4320-4321 11-MAR-1948 (Aerial Photograph). SDV359578.

Banks are visible as earthworks under light tree cover.

Ordnance Survey, 1979, OS/79083, OS/79083 136-137 28-AUG-1979 (Aerial Photograph). SDV355374.

Banks are visible as earthworks under light tree cover.

Environment Agency, 1998-2017, LiDAR DTM data (1m resolution) EA: South Devon Coast to Dartmoor, LIDAR SX8584 Environment Agency DTM 01-JAN-1998 to 31-MAY-2017 (Cartographic). SDV361470.

Banks are visible as earthworks on three alignments.

Hegarty, C., Knight, S. and Sims, R., 2018-2019, The South Devon Coast to Dartmoor Aerial Investigation and Mapping Survey. Area 1, Haldon Ridge to Dart Valley (Interpretation). SDV361305.

The remains of parallel earthwork ridges were visible under light tree cover on aerial photographs of 1947, in two plots flanking the head of a narrow combe, to the south-east of Coombe Farm. The closely spaced banks are spaced on average 5 metres wide and have been aligned to cross the contours of the combe slopes. This is complicated in the eastern, larger plot, where banks appear to have been made in three orientations. This intercutting has resulted in a regular pattern of mounds in linear arrangements.
The plots in which the banks are visible are depicted as orchards on the Tithe Map for Ashton and the Ordnance Survey 25-inch first edition map. The banks were therefore probably created prior to circa 1840 and are interpreted as earthworks made to enhance drainage and provide additional depth of soil within the orchards.
The plots remained lightly planted in 1979 but has been cleared of trees. The banks remain visible as subtle earthworks on images derived from lidar data captured between 1998 and 2017.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV336179	Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 1880-1899. First Edition Ordnance 25 inch map. First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map. Map (Digital).
SDV349431	Cartographic: Devon County Council. 1838-1848. Tithe Mosaic, approximately 1838-1848. Digitised Tithe Map. Digital.
SDV355374	Aerial Photograph: Ordnance Survey. 1979. OS/79083. Ordnance Survey. Photograph (Paper). OS/79083 136-137 28-AUG-1979.
SDV359578	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1948. RAF/CPE/UK/2491. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). RAF/CPE/UK/2491 RS 4320-4321 11-MAR-1948.
SDV361305	Interpretation: Hegarty, C., Knight, S. and Sims, R.. 2018-2019. The South Devon Coast to Dartmoor Aerial Investigation and Mapping Survey. Area 1, Haldon Ridge to Dart Valley. Historic England Research Report. Digital.
	Linked documents:1
SDV361470	Cartographic: Environment Agency. 1998-2017. LiDAR DTM data (1m resolution) EA: South Devon Coast to Dartmoor. Environment Agency LiDAR data. Digital. LIDAR SX8584 Environment Agency DTM 01-JAN-1998 to 31-MAY-2017. [Mapped feature: #113092 ]

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV7515 - The South Devon Coast to Dartmoor Aerial Investigation and Mapping (formerly NMP) Survey (Ref: ACD1748)

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