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Summary

This animal run is associated with a pillow mound forming part of Trowlesworthy Warren. It survives as a 10 metre long, 0.8 metre wide and 0.3 metre deep narrow gully leading west from the pillow mound ditch to merge into a further hollow which forms part of a series of interconnected similar sized gullies which lead off west, east and partially surround the mound. These gullies represent a complex system of animal runs in which rabbits and vermin could have been trapped. In the past, the shallow gullies associated with pillow mounds have been seen as drainage ditches. However the shape and alignment of many, including these ones, indicates very clearly that they could not have had a drainage function.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1014657: Pillow mound and animal run 830m north east of Trowlesworthy Warren House, forming part of Trowlesworthy Warren

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX56NE/240/6/1
• Old SAM Ref: 24241

Monument Type(s) and Dates

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

Full description

Crossing, W., 1912 (1965), Crossing's Guide to Dartmoor, 431 (Monograph). SDV320981.

Gerrard, S., 1990-2002, Monument Protection Programme. Archaeological Item Dataset., MPP 133549, 30/6/1993 (Report - Survey). SDV277946.

This animal run is associated with a pillow mound forming part of Trowlesworthy Warren.
It survives as a 10 metre long, 0.8 metre wide and 0.3 metre deep narrow gully leading west from the pillow mound ditch to merge into a further hollow which forms part of a series of interconnected similar sized gullies which lead off west, east and partially surround the mound. These gullies represent a complex system of animal runs in which rabbits and vermin could have been trapped. In the past, the shallow gullies associated with pillow mounds have been seen as drainage ditches. However the shape and alignment of many, including these ones, indicates very clearly that they could not have had a drainage function. Their close association with vermin traps in several instances suggests very strongly that they are much more likely to represent animal runs.

National Trust and English Heritage, 1994, The Upper Plym Valley: The Management of an Historic Landscape, 105-6, numbers 102.427, 102.430. (Report - non-specific). SDV166309.

Drain at SX5750 6515. Ditch, possibly a variant of the V-shaped ditch, intended to keep interior dry. The northern arm curves round to the west almost enclosing the interior. Length of northern arm: 55 metres, length of southern arm: 40 metres by 1 metre wide and 0.3 metres high. Orientation: south-east by north-west.
Drain at SX5758 6516 - 5749 6519. Ditch, roughly V-shaped in plan, possibly intended to keep interior dry. Western arm is much longer. May be a variant of the V-shaped ditch. Dimensions: length of the western arm is 95 metres, length of the eastern arm is 20 metres by 1 metre wide and 0.3 metres high, orientation: south-east by north-west.

English Heritage, 2015, National Heritage List for England (National Heritage List for England). SDV357602.

This monument includes a pillow mound and associated animal run situated on a gentle north west facing slope overlooking the River Plym.
A 10m long, 0.8m wide and 0.3m deep narrow gully leads west from the ditch to merge into a further hollow which forms part of a series of interconnected similar sized gullies which lead off westward, eastward and partially surround the mound. These gullies represent a complex system of animal runs in which rabbits and vermin could have been trapped.

Ridgers, H. + Ridgers, C., 2015, Of Varments and Vermin Traps, 11, number 124 (Report - Assessment). SDV358632.

SX5755 6516

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV7369 - Survey of Granite Loading Bays at Trowlesworthy, Devon

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