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Summary

A former probable extractive pit, possibly a marl pit, was visible on aerial photographs of 1950 and images derived from digital elevation data captured in 2006 as an oval earthwork on the south-west facing slopes to the north-east of Grange Farm, Dunkeswell parish.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: ST10SW/90

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• EXTRACTIVE PIT (Early Medieval to XIX - 1066 AD to 1840 AD (Between))
• MARL PIT? (Early Medieval to XIX - 1066 AD to 1840 AD (Between))

Full description

British Geological Survey, BGS 50000 scale digital geology (Website). SDV358790.

The pit is located on mudstone bedrock.

Devon County Council, 1838-1848, Tithe Mosaic, approximately 1838-1848 (Cartographic). SDV349431.

The pit does not correspond with any depicted pit or quarry.

Ordnance Survey, 1880-1899, First Edition Ordnance 25 inch map (Cartographic). SDV336179.

The pit does not correspond with any depicted pit or quarry.

Royal Air Force, 1950, RAF/541/534, RAF/541/534 RP 3057-3058 30-MAY-1950 (Aerial Photograph). SDV357615.

A pit was visible as a subtle earthwork.

Next Perspectives, 2006, Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photograph - Digital Elevation Data, Next Perspectives APGB Elevation Data ST1304 24-JUL-2006 (Cartographic). SDV359839.

An oval pit was visible as an earthwork.

Hegarty, C. + Knight, S. + Sims, R., 2016-2018, The Blackdown Hills AONB and East Devon River Catchments National Mapping Programme Project (Interpretation). SDV359463.

A former probable extractive pit was visible on aerial photographs of 1950 and images derived from digital elevation data captured in 2006 as an oval earthwork measuring circa 65 by 25 metres in size, on the south-west facing slopes to the north-east of Grange Farm, Dunkeswell parish.
The visible earthwork does not correspond with any pit depicted on the Ordnance Survey First Edition 25inch Map or Tithe Map for Dunkeswell. This supports the interpretation that the pit had passed out of use by the mid-19th century, but could be significantly earlier in date.
The pit is located on mudstone bedrock, which might support the interpretation as a marl extraction pit. Marl was commonly extracted to improve soil quality or provide material for cob buildings from the medieval period to the 18th and 19th century. A pit located in the centre of a field, as this is, is possible more likely to have been used for agricultural use, to improve soil quality.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV336179	Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 1880-1899. First Edition Ordnance 25 inch map. First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map. Map (Digital).
SDV349431	Cartographic: Devon County Council. 1838-1848. Tithe Mosaic, approximately 1838-1848. Digitised Tithe Map. Digital.
SDV357615	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1950. RAF/541/534. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). RAF/541/534 RP 3057-3058 30-MAY-1950.
SDV358790	Website: British Geological Survey. BGS 50000 scale digital geology. http://ogc.bgs.ac.uk/cgi-bin/BGS_Bedrock_and_Superficial_Geology/wms?. Website.
SDV359463	Interpretation: Hegarty, C. + Knight, S. + Sims, R.. 2016-2018. The Blackdown Hills AONB and East Devon River Catchments National Mapping Programme Project. Historic England Research Report. Digital.
	Linked documents:2
SDV359839	Cartographic: Next Perspectives. 2006. Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photograph - Digital Elevation Data. Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs. Digital. Next Perspectives APGB Elevation Data ST1304 24-JUL-2006. [Mapped feature: #76551 ]

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV7508 - The Blackdown Hills AONB and East Devon River Catchments National Mapping Programme (NMP) project (Ref: ACD1228)

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