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Summary

Linear boundaries identified in trench evaluation on the east side of the Torridge and intertpreted as possibly forming part of a Romano-British rectilinear field system on either side of the river.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• FIELD SYSTEM (Early Iron Age to Roman - 700 BC to 409 AD)

Full description

Marsh, B., 2011, Geophysical Survey Report. Atlantic Array, Devon, Fig 30 (Report - Geophysical Survey). SDV349993.

Map object absed on this source.

Hughes, V., 2012, Atlantic Array Onshore Cable Route and Substation, Bideford, Devon. Archaeological Evlauation Report, 18, 24-25; Fig 14; Appendix C.1.4; Trenches 29-32 (Report - Evaluation). SDV349995.

Four features, all linear boundaries which produced very small quantities of late Iron Age/ early Roman pottery, were found in four separate trenches on either side of the River Torridge. Two features on the east side of the river produced pottery of the same period as the two feature on the west side.
Trench 29 (east side of the river) also recorded a small pit containing a high proportion of apparently charred remains, predominantly charcoal.
To the south of the pit was a ditch, possibly a former hedge line. This feature contained a deposit which was probably the remains of a bank, from which three small fragments of Late Iron Age or Early Roman pottery and a complete ceramic spindle whorl were recovered.
None of these features appear on the Tithe Map, which suggests that the date range indicated by the artefacts (circa 50 BC - AD 100) is plausible. It is impossible to say, with such a small assemblage, whether the material dates from before or after the Roman conquest. All of the probable Late Iron Age / early Roman boundaries comprise a single ditch, in at least one case with slight indications of a former bank on one side.
The fragments of Roman boundaries hint at a rectilinear field system focussed in the valley of the River Torridge.
There is no indication of continuity between the Roman and Post-medieval field systems in this area, and no evidence at all was recovered for late Roman or early Medieval activity.

Chapman, E. M. + Hunter, F. + Wilson, P. + Booth, P., 2012, Sites Explored 2011 (Article in Serial). SDV361578.

Summary of work carried out by Work by V. Hughes of Oxford Archaeology South at Bideford, Atlantic Array onshore cable route and substation (SS411 278 to SS500 251): evaluation along the route of an onshore cable trench comprised a total of 36 trenches, targeted on features identified by a previous geophysical survey. Four ditches that produced very small quantities of late Iron Age/early Roman pottery were recorded on either side of the River Torridge. The geophysical survey suggested that the ditches on the western side of the river formed part of a rectilinear field-system, and may provide a date for a cropmark enclosure recorded on aerial photographs to the north of the cable route.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds

• FDV5644 - SPINDLE WHORL (Unknown date)
• FDV5643 - POT (Late Iron Age to Roman - 100 BC to 409 AD)

Associated Events

• EDV6001 - Geophysical Survey of Atlantic Array Onshore Route (Ref: 2882)
• EDV6004 - Trench Evaluation of the Atlantic Array Onshore Cable Route and Substation (Ref: 5149)

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