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HER Number:MDV75044
Name:Banks surrounding Thorn Tree Plantation

Summary

Substantial earthen bank surrounding plantation, breached in numerous places where paths pass through it, and originally had ditches on both sides. Probably early 19th century.

Location

Grid Reference:SY 036 854
Map Sheet:SY08NW
Admin AreaDevon
Civil ParishBicton
Civil ParishWoodbury
DistrictEast Devon
Ecclesiastical ParishBICTON
Ecclesiastical ParishWOODBURY

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

  • PLANTATION BANK (XIX - 1801 AD to 1900 AD (Between))

Full description

Exeter Archaeology, 1999, An Archaeological Evaluation at Thorn Tree Plantation near Blackhill Quarry, Woodbury, 3 (Report - Evaluation). SDV336313.

The hedgebank section revealed that the large hedgebank originally had ditches on both sides. The core of the bank consisted of mixed material, but had mainly derived from the natural sandy gravel excavated from the ditches. This material sealed 2 layers of grey-brown soils, which were sampled for possible environmental and dating evidence. The buried soils appeared at a higher level than the ground surface on either side of the bank, suggesting that they represented the remains of the surface layers of a former (much eroded) bank that had been used to form the core of the present (taller) bank. No finds were recovered from within the bank. Other details: Figure 2.


Exeter Archaeology, 1999, Archaeological Assessment of Thorn Tree Plantation, near Blackhill Quarry, Woodbury, 3, 6 (Report - Assessment). SDV336320.

The entire plantation was enclosed by approximately 1300 metres of substantial earthen bank, with an average height of 1.5 metres and width of 2 metres at ground level. In numerous places the bank was broken where paths passed through it. At the northern end of the north-west boundary a slight external ditch and 2 banks were present, the outer one quickly disappearing to the south-west. Towards the northern end of the north-eastern boundary a shallow internal ditch was visible. There was no indication of the present line of the present parish boundary cutting across the western corner of the site. There were signs of a recent fire in this corner, but the banks here (possibly the original parish boundary) were extant. Other details: Site 1.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV336313Report - Evaluation: Exeter Archaeology. 1999. An Archaeological Evaluation at Thorn Tree Plantation near Blackhill Quarry, Woodbury. Exeter Archaeology Report. 99.84. A4 stapled + Digital. 3.
SDV336320Report - Assessment: Exeter Archaeology. 1999. Archaeological Assessment of Thorn Tree Plantation, near Blackhill Quarry, Woodbury. Exeter Archaeology Report. 99.71. A4 Stapled + Digital. 3, 6.

Associated Monuments

MDV75046Part of: Thorn Tree Plantation (Monument)
MDV75048Related to: Boundary Stones at Thorn Tree Plantation (Monument)

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

  • EDV4422 - Archaeological Assessment of Thorn Tree Plantation near Blackhill Quarry, Woodbury

Date Last Edited:Feb 19 2009 12:14PM