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Summary

A field system of possible prehistoric date is visible on aerial photographs of the 1940s onwards and images derived from Lidar data, as an arrangement of fragmentary low earthwork banks distributed across Walls Hill. Discrete areas of ridge and furrow cultivation of possible medieval or post-medieval date are identifiable amongst the former field boundaries, as are several small mounds previously interpreted as clearance cairns.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1019134: Prehistoric field system at Walls Hill

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: 447569
• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX96NW/30
• Torbay HER: MTO19210
• Torbay HER: MTO9570

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• FIELD SYSTEM (Early Bronze Age to Late Medieval - 2200 BC to 1539 AD (Between))
• RIDGE AND FURROW (Early Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD to 1750 AD (Between))

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1890, RAF/CPE/UK/1890 4231-4232 10-DEC-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV351061.

The field system is visible as low earthwork banks.

Ordnance Survey, 1988, OS/88198, OS/88198 166-167 25-JUN-1988 (Aerial Photograph). SDV352243.

The field system earthwork banks are clearly visible but appear somewhat eroded.

Environment Agency, 1998-2012, Lidar data JPEG SX96SW DTM, LIDAR SX96SW DSM Environment Agency 1998-2012 (Cartographic). SDV352291.

The field system is visible as low earthwork banks. Map object based partly on this source.

Channel Coast Observatory, 2001-2012, Channel Coast Observatory Aerial Photography, Channel Coastal Observatory SX9365_20120918ortho.ecw 18-SEP-2012 (Aerial Photograph). SDV351226.

The field system earthwork banks are faintly visible but the ridge and furrow is clearly defined and appears to be in reasonable condition. Map object based partly on this source.

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

A field system of possible prehistoric date is visible on aerial photographs of the 1940s onwards and digital images derived from Lidar data, as fragmentary low earthwork banks distributed unevenly across Walls Hill. The main orientation of the former boundary banks appears to be roughly north-east to south-west. Smaller, less regularly laid-out and more fragmentary banks subdivide the area laterally between the primary banks. The greatest concentration of visible earthwork banks can be seen to the south-east of Walls Hill, overlooking the coast at Redgate Beach. The field system is less clear further to the north-west, the most easterly banks located on the playing fields to the south of Walls Hill Road, at circa SX 92946518. The boundary banks might define a small oval or sub-rectangular enclosure up to 60 metres in diameter at circa SX 93386518, but this requires further field investigation.
Discrete areas of ridge and furrow cultivation are identifiable amongst the former field boundaries and appear to be aligned upon them, notably at circa SX 93506510 and SX 93476503. These are tentatively interpreted as being of medieval to post-medieval date although the relationship between the two sets of earthworks is not clear and requires further investigation.
Several small mounds previously interpreted as possible clearance cairns are recorded amongst the field boundaries but only three possible earthwork mounds are readily distinguished and are recorded separately.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV351061	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/CPE/UK/1890. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). RAF/CPE/UK/1890 4231-4232 10-DEC-1946.
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
SDV351226	Aerial Photograph: Channel Coast Observatory. 2001-2012. Channel Coast Observatory Aerial Photography. Channel Coast Observatory. Digital. Channel Coastal Observatory SX9365_20120918ortho.ecw 18-SEP-2012.
SDV352243	Aerial Photograph: Ordnance Survey. 1988. OS/88198. Ordnance Survey. Photograph (Paper). OS/88198 166-167 25-JUN-1988.
SDV352291	Cartographic: Environment Agency. 1998-2012. Lidar data JPEG SX96SW DTM. Environment Agency LiDAR data. Digital. LIDAR SX96SW DSM Environment Agency 1998-2012.

Associated Monuments

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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