See important guidance on the use of this record.

If you have any comments or new information about this record, please email us.

Summary

A large number of pits were recorded during a programme of archaeological work along the route of a water main. The pits varied in size with the larger pits having multiple fills with evidence of burning. No finds were associated with the pits and they form no obvious structural patterns. It is possible that they relate to 19th century mining activity but they could also be prehistoric in origin.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• ARCHAEOLOGICAL FEATURE (Unknown date)
• PIT (Early Neolithic to XIX - 4000 BC (Between) to 1900 AD (Between))

Full description

Urmston, Ben, 2008, Avon Support Main, between Roborough and Houndall, near Plymouth, Devon. (Report - Geophysical Survey). SDV358939.

A geophysical survey was undertaken of a proposed 13km water main between Roborough and Houndall, near Plymouth, Devon. Several sites of archaeological interest were detected.
A cluster of pit-like responses with an amorphous linear anomaly immediately to the south, may be of archaeological interest (Area D9) and may be associated with the nearby chimney to the east; they are consistent with responses from small-scale quarrying. Boringdon Camp is some 500m west of this area, however, and it is possible that these pits are associated with the Iron Age settlement there.

Taylor, S. R., 2009, Avon SWW Pipeline, Devon: Archaeological Mitigation Archive report, 20, 28 Fig. 10-11 (Report - Assessment). SDV364052.

A large number of pits, originally identified by geophysical survey, were recorded in the southern half of Area D9. The linear anomaly along the south side of the group was not seen during the fieldwork. Forty pits were identified of which 17 were sectioned. Of these, five pits had multiple fills with evidence of burning in the form of charcoal [1450], 1471 and 1477, and burnt clay [1466, 1471]. They were 0.87m diameter to 2.2m long and 0.2-0.3m deep. A further four pits 1459, 1463, 1488 and 1720 were smaller, 0.8m to 1.5m across and 0.15m to 0.32m deep, with fewer fills and no evidence for burning. The remaining sectioned pits 1486, 1491, 1710, 1712, 1714, 1716 and 1718 were 0.68m to 1.46m across by 0.07m to 0.2m deep with only a single fill.
No finds were associated with the pits and they form no obvious structural patterns. It is possible that they relate to 19th century mining activity but they could also be prehistoric in origin. Radiocarbon dating is recommended to establish the age of the pits.

Ordnance Survey, 2015, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV357601.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV6830 - Geophysical Survey, Avon Support Main (Ref: 68262.02)
• EDV6704 - Archaeological Investigations Along the Route of the Avon Water Main Renewal. Avon Pipeline Scheme

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.