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Summary

A former extractive pit of possible post-medieval to late 19th century date is visible as an earthwork on aerial photographs of 1948 onwards, and on digital images derived from lidar data captured in 2016, to the northeast of Watchford Farm, Yarcombe. The extractive pit had probably passed out of use prior to the late 19th century.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• CLAY PIT? (Post Medieval to XIX - 1540 AD to 1900 AD (Between))
• EXTRACTIVE PIT (Post Medieval to XIX - 1540 AD to 1900 AD (Between))

Full description

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

The Parish Tithe map is incomplete here.

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

The earthworks correspond with a copse on this map. ‘Old Clay Pits’ are also depicted in the vicinity here.

Royal Air Force, 1948, RAF/CPE/UK/2491, RAF/CPE/UK/2491 RS 4185-86 11-MAR-1948 (Aerial Photograph). SDV359578.

Part of the earthwork pit is visible.

Bluesky International, 2016, LiDAR DTM data (0.5m resolution) Blackdown Hills and East Devon AONBs: 3 transects, LIDAR ST2311 Bluesky International DTM 30-APR-2016 & 04-MAY-2016 (Cartographic). SDV359714.

A sub-oval shaped earthwork pit is visible.

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 extractive pit of possible post-medieval to late 19th century date is visible as an earthwork on aerial photographs of 1948 onwards, and on digital images derived from lidar data captured in 2016, to the northeast of Watchford Farm, Yarcombe. The semi-circular shaped earthwork measures approximately 35m in diameter. A number of ‘Old Clay Pits’ are depicted in the vicinity here on the First Edition Ordnance Survey map of the 1880’s-90’s, so it seems possible this pit was similarly utilised for such. The visible earthworks correspond with a copse depicted in this location on the available 19th century mapping, the trees probably being established within the pit following its abandonment. This supports the interpretation that the extractive pit had passed out of use prior to the late 19th century. The Parish Tithe map mosaic of approximately 1838-48 is incomplete here, so it is not possible to determine whether the extractive pit was extant by this time.

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.
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
SDV359578	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1948. RAF/CPE/UK/2491. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). RAF/CPE/UK/2491 RS 4185-86 11-MAR-1948.
SDV359714	Cartographic: Bluesky International. 2016. LiDAR DTM data (0.5m resolution) Blackdown Hills and East Devon AONBs: 3 transects. Not applicable. Digital. LIDAR ST2311 Bluesky International DTM 30-APR-2016 & 04-MAY-2016. [Mapped feature: #77902 ]

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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