See important guidance on the use of this record.

If you have any comments or new information about this record, please email us.

Summary

Medieval or later hedge bank extending across the Bronze Age parallel reave system on Halshanger Common.

Location

Protected Status

• SHINE: Earthworks and stone walls of a Bronze Age parallel reave system on Mountsland, Halshanger and Horridge Commons, comprising the remains of a field system, hut circle settlements, enclosures and cairns, and surface remains of 19th century Hemsworthy Mine
• Scheduled Monument 1019603: Coaxial fields, prehistoric settlements and cairns on Halshanger and Horridge Commons, forming part of the Rippon Tor coaxial field system

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX77SW/192
• Old SAM Ref: 28774
• SHINE Candidate (Yes)

Monument Type(s) and Dates

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

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1890, 1319 (Aerial Photograph). SDV169268.

Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England, 1985, Aerial Photograph Project (Interpretation). SDV319854.

Reave or bank extends across parallel field system, but does not appear to be related to it directly. Extends to SX74197395.

Butler, J., 1991, Dartmoor Atlas of Antiquities: Volume One - The East, Maps 4-6 (Monograph). SDV299725.

Newman, P., 2013, An Archaeological Assessment of Halshanger and Horridge Commons, Dartmoor, Devon, 10, Table 1 (Report - Assessment). SDV356396.

A hedge bank running from Water Rushes north to meet the southern wall of the Horridge/Rippon Tor enclosure is the most noticeable component of medieval or later agricultural activieity on Halsanger Common. The northern section of the boundary is current occupied by a stock-proof fence but the southern section is disused. Originally this was the course of the inner enclosure of Halsanger Down. The surviving double parallel banks along part of the boundary could represent the remains of a former droveway or lane. The western bank was at one time topped with a granite dry stone wall. Condition declining. Short grassland, trees and bracken.

Newman, P., 2013, Halshanger Sites Visited and Confirmed (Report - Survey). SDV351113.

Newman, P., 2013, Halshanger/Horridge Common/Rippon Tor Site Survey New Entries (Report - Survey). SDV351110.

A narrow section of tin streamworking interrupts the course of the wall and may represent later activity which has effaced a short section of the boundary.

Ordnance Survey, 2013, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV350786.

This boundary is depicted on the modern mapping.

Newman , P., 2015, Rippon Tor Premier Archaeological Landscape, Dartmoor National Park, Devon, 52 (Report - Survey). SDV359145.

Medieval or later hedge bank extending across the Bronze Age parallel reave system on Halshanger Common. An upstanding hedge-bank, which runs from Water Rushes and across the hill north to meet the southern wall of the Horridge/Rippon Tor enclosure. This section of boundary has, for much of its extent, double parallel banks set up to 3m apart, which could represent remains of a narrow droveway or lane. Vestiges of the shrubs that once formed the hedge survive in places along the eastern bank as mature trees. Condition is stable. SX74148 74633

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV6433 - Assessment of Halsanger Common, Horridge Common and Rippon Tor
• EDV6836 - Rippon Tor Premier Archaeological Landscape survey

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.