HeritageGateway - Home
Site Map
Text size: A A A
You are here: Home > > > > Devon & Dartmoor HER Result
Devon & Dartmoor HERPrintable version | About Devon & Dartmoor HER | Visit Devon & Dartmoor HER online...

See important guidance on the use of this record.

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


HER Number:MDV55302
Name:Pillow mound at Trowlesworthy Warren

Summary

This pillow mound survives as an 11.5m long, 4.5m wide and 1m high, flat- topped, oblong shaped mound of soil and stone surrounded on three sides by the 1.5m wide and 0.2m deep ditch from which material was quarried during its construction.

Location

Grid Reference:SX 573 647
Map Sheet:SX56SE
Admin AreaDartmoor National Park
Civil ParishShaugh Prior
DistrictSouth Hams
Ecclesiastical ParishSHAUGH PRIOR

Protected Status

Other References/Statuses

  • National Monuments Record: SX 56 SE 66
  • Old DCC SMR Ref: SX56SE/198/25
  • Old SAM Ref: 22214(P)
  • Pastscape: 439294

Monument Type(s) and Dates

  • PILLOW MOUND (Constructed, XVIII to XIX - 1751 AD to 1900 AD (Between))

Full description

Gerrard, S., 1990-2002, Monument Protection Programme. Archaeological Item Dataset., MPP 140339 (Report - Survey). SDV277946.

(04/04/1995) Pillow mound forming part of Trowlesworthy Warren. Survives as an 11.5m by 4.5m by 1m high, flat topped, oblong mound of soil and stone surrounded on three sides by the 1.5m wide and 0.2m deep ditch from which construction material was quarried.

Robertson, J. G., 1994, The Archaeology of the Upper Plym Valley, 254-6 (Post-Graduate Thesis). SDV139549.

Thackray, C., 1994, The Upper Plym Valley: the management of an historic landscape, 89, 102.372 (Report - non-specific). SDV143510.

Probert, S. A. J. + Fletcher, M. J., 2002, Plym Valley survey (Report - Survey). SDV350782.

Not depicted on the GIS survey layer based on the 2002 survey visits.

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

This monument includes a pillow mound situated on the gentle south west facing upper slope of Little Trowlesworthy Tor overlooking the valley of the Blacka Brook. This mound forms part of Trowlesworthy Warren, which includes around 64 pillow mounds and 40 vermin traps scattered along the slopes of Little and Great Trowlesworthy Tors. The boundaries of the warren are denoted by the River Plym, Spanish Lake and Blacka Brook. Trowlesworthy Warren is generally accepted as the oldest surviving warren on Dartmoor, although recently doubt has been expressed concerning its medieval origins. However, it is known that the warren existed by 1651 when it was occupied by John Hamblin, a skinner from Plymouth. The warren appears to have remained in constant use from this time until the first half of the 20th century. This pillow mound survives as an 11.5m long, 4.5m wide and 1m high, flat- topped, oblong shaped mound of soil and stone surrounded on three sides by the 1.5m wide and 0.2m deep ditch from which material was quarried during its construction. Other archaeological features surviving within the vicinity of this monument are the subject of separate schedulings. This monument is in the care of the Secretary of State.

Bluesky International Ltd/Getmapping PLC, 2015-2017, 2015-2017 Aerial Photographs (Aerial Photograph). SDV361462.

Faintly visible on the aerial photography.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV139549Post-Graduate Thesis: Robertson, J. G.. 1994. The Archaeology of the Upper Plym Valley. Edinburgh University. Unknown. 254-6.
SDV143510Report - non-specific: Thackray, C.. 1994. The Upper Plym Valley: the management of an historic landscape. 89, 102.372.
SDV277946Report - Survey: Gerrard, S.. 1990-2002. Monument Protection Programme. Archaeological Item Dataset.. Monument Protection Programme. Archaeological Item Dataset.. Mixed Archive Material + Digital. MPP 140339.
SDV350782Report - Survey: Probert, S. A. J. + Fletcher, M. J.. 2002. Plym Valley survey. English Heritage Archaeological Investigation Report. Unknown.
SDV357602National Heritage List for England: English Heritage. 2015. National Heritage List for England. Historic Houses Register. Digital.
SDV361462Aerial Photograph: Bluesky International Ltd/Getmapping PLC. 2015-2017. 2015-2017 Aerial Photographs. Bluesky International Ltd/Getmapping PLC. Photograph (Digital). [Mapped feature: #125506 ]

Associated Monuments

MDV14148Part of: Trowlesworthy Warren, Shaugh Prior (Monument)

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

  • EDV7369 - Survey of Granite Loading Bays at Trowlesworthy, Devon
  • EDV8148 - The Upper Plym Valley: The Management of an Historic Landscape
  • EDV8155 - Plym Valley Survey

Date Last Edited:May 5 2020 11:00AM