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Summary

A roughly U-shaped feature is visible in the intertidal zone of the lower reaches of the Erme estuary in aerial photographs taken in 2007, but not earlier available aerial photographs. It may be a fish trap of post-medieval or modern date, and structural remains are likely to survive.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• FISH TRAP (Early Medieval to XIX - 1066 AD to 1900 AD (Between))

Full description

Ordnance Survey, 1904 - 1906, Second Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map (Cartographic). SDV325644.

No structures are depicted here, although the junction of two water channels corresponds to this location.

Next Perspectives, 2002, Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs, Next Perspectives PGA Imagery SX6147 16-AUG-2002 (Aerial Photograph). SDV351189.

No structure is visible in this location.

Bluesky International Ltd/Getmapping PLC, 2007, Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs, Next Perspectives PGA Imagery SX6147 22-MAY-2007 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349355.

A curvilinear looped structure is visible.

S. Crowther & A. Dickson with K. Truscoe, 2008, Severn Estuary Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey National Mapping Programme, 68 (Report - Survey). SDV351398.

Bow or U-shaped fish weirs were visible on a single set of aerial photographs, and documentary map evidence suggests a 16th to 19th century date.

Helen Winton, Senior Investigator, English Heritage, 2013, Monitoring and quality assurance meeting discussions. (Personal Comment). SDV351397.

Looped fishtraps have been recorded along the coast of Brittany.

Hegarty, C. + Knight, S. + Sims, R., 2013-2014, South Devon Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey National Mapping Programme Project (Interpretation). SDV351146.

A looped, roughly U-shaped feature is visible in the intertidal zone of the lower reaches of the Erme estuary in aerial photographs taken in 2007. In total it measure circa 90 metres in length. Three possible post structures are visible along the curve of the feature, perhaps acting as an anchor. The feature is not visible on any earlier available aerial photographs including some taken in 2002, and is therefore likely to be either newly exposed or newly created in 2007. The possible structure is not depicted on historic mapping, but its position corresponds to the convergence of two water channels that are depicted on the 1904-1906 maps. This is consistent with an interpretation as a fish trap of post-medieval or modern date, and the layout has some similarities with fishtraps recorded along the coast of Brittany (Winton pers. comm.) and in the Severn Estuary (Crowther, Dickson & Truscoe 2008), the latter probably dating to the 16th to 19th century. Remains are likely to survive and a site visit would assist interpretation.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV325644	Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 1904 - 1906. Second Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map. Second Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map. Map (Digital).
SDV349355	Aerial Photograph: Bluesky International Ltd/Getmapping PLC. 2007. Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs. Aerial Photography for Great Britain Aerial Photographs. Digital. Next Perspectives PGA Imagery SX6147 22-MAY-2007. [Mapped feature: #63588 ]
SDV351146	Interpretation: Hegarty, C. + Knight, S. + Sims, R.. 2013-2014. South Devon Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey National Mapping Programme Project. AC Archaeology Report. Digital.
	Linked documents:1
SDV351189	Aerial Photograph: Next Perspectives. 2002. Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs. Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs. Digital. Next Perspectives PGA Imagery SX6147 16-AUG-2002.
SDV351397	Personal Comment: Helen Winton, Senior Investigator, English Heritage. 2013. Monitoring and quality assurance meeting discussions..
SDV351398	Report - Survey: S. Crowther & A. Dickson with K. Truscoe. 2008. Severn Estuary Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey National Mapping Programme. Gloucestershire County Council. 3885. Digital. 68.

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV6127 - Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey National Mapping Programme (NMP) for South-West England - South Coast Devon (Ref: ACD618)

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