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Summary

Earthworks of pits, ditches and mounds, interpreted as evidence of a possible medieval or post-medieval alluvial tin streamworks, are visible on aerial photographs taken from 1947 onwards and on visualisations derived from lidar data captured between 1998 and 2017.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• STREAMWORKS (Early Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD (Between) to 1750 AD (Between))

Full description

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

The earthworks coincide with an area of woodland.

Royal Air Force, 1947, RAF/CPE/UK/2105, RAF/CPE/UK/2105 RP 3062-3063 28-MAY-1947 (Aerial Photograph). SDV351151.

Earthworks of sub-oval and irregularly shaped pits, ditches and mounds are visible.

Royal Air Force, 1951, RAF/540/497, RAF/540/497 RS 4040-4041 12-MAY-1951 (Aerial Photograph). SDV351212.

Earthworks of sub-oval and irregularly shaped pits, ditches and mounds are visible.

Environment Agency, 1998-2017, LiDAR DTM data (1m resolution) EA: South Devon Coast to Dartmoor, LIDAR SX6056; SX6057 Environment Agency DTM 01-JAN-1998 to 31-MAY-2017 (Cartographic). SDV361470.

Earthworks of sub-oval and irregularly shaped pits, ditches and mounds are visible.

Hegarty, C., Knight, S. and Sims, R., 2019-2021, The South Devon Coast to Dartmoor Aerial Investigation and Mapping Survey. Area 2, Avon Valley to Plymouth (AI&M, formerly NMP) (Interpretation). SDV362982.

Earthworks of sub-oval and irregularly shaped pits, ditches and mounds are visible on aerial photographs taken from 1947 onwards and on visualisations derived from lidar data captured between 1998 and 2017. The earthworks occupy an area of circa 6.5 hectares on the east side of the River Yealm. They do not correspond with any pit, ditch or mound features on the available 19th and 20th century historic maps, which show this area as comprising woodland. Transcription of these earthworks was carried out primarily using Simple Local Relief and Positive Openess lidar visualisations. Given their complexity and in places subtle nature, not all visible earthworks have been transcribed and an extent of area polygon has been used to define the approximate limit of the earthworks. Their character and form support the interpretation they represent the extractive pits, stream channels and associated spoil heaps of a possible medieval or post-medieval alluvial tin streamworks which had passed out of use by the mid to late 19th century, by which time the area had been given over to woodland. Water used in the washing and processing of the tin-ore was probably sourced from the River Yealm, via a series of leats. The earthworks are likely associated with a streamworks (MDV126820) recorded to the immediate south. Earthworks of numerous other streamworks have also been recorded in this area. Further investigation, such as a site investigation, is recommended to help define the extent and character of this possible streamworks.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV8098 - The South Devon Coast to Dartmoor Aerial Investigation and Mapping (formerly NMP) Survey, Area 2, Avon Valley to Plymouth (Ref: ACD2040)

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