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Summary

Narrow curvilinear and sinuous earthwork ditches interpreted as the gutters of a 19th century catch meadow irrigation system are visible on aerial photographs taken from 1946 onwards and on visualisations derived from lidar data captured between 1998 and 2017.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX55SE/138

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• CATCH MEADOW (Post Medieval to XIX - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1890, Devon County Council RAF/CPE/UK/1890 4176 10-DEC-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV169268.

Sinuous and curvilinear ditches are visible as earthworks.

Environment Agency, 1998-2017, LiDAR DTM data (1m resolution) EA: South Devon Coast to Dartmoor, LIDAR SX5653 Environment Agency DTM 01-JAN-1998 to 31-MAY-2017 (Cartographic). SDV361470.

Sinuous and curvilinear ditches are visible as earthworks.

Exeter Archaeology, 2000, Archaeological Assessment of a Proposed New Settlement Site, Brixton, South Hams, 6,13 (Report - Assessment). SDV324147.

Water meadow shown between 'Hareston' and 'Higher Hareston' identified from Royal Air Force aerial photographs and the 1840 Brixton Tithe Map Apportionment. A series of leats can be seen running along the contours of the hillside. Other details: Figure 2.

Scott Wilson, 2006, Sherford New Community: Environmental Statement, Site 62 (Report - Assessment). SDV340472.

Jack, S. + Steadman, S., 2007, Sherford New Community: Environmental Statement - Cultural Heritage, Figure 9.2 (Report - Assessment). SDV340474.

Other details: Site 62.

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.

Narrow curvilinear and sinuous ditches, less than 2m wide, are visible as earthworks on aerial photographs taken from 1946 onwards and on visualisations derived from lidar data captured between 1998 and 2017. The visible earthwork channels closely follow the contours of the northeast facing combe slope and occupy an area of circa 3 hectares. They are interpreted as the gutters of a catch meadow irrigation system which probably tapped a spring-fed water course that rises circa 35m to the south. Catch meadows were popular in the 19th century but many continued in use into the mid-20th century, although it is unclear whether this system was still in use by this time. The earthwork ditches truncate the banks of two relict post-medieval or medieval field boundaries (MDV126417). An additional catch meadow visible to the northeast (MDV126415) may also be associated with this system.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV4380 - Assessment for Sherford New Community
• 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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