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Summary

A deserted settlement of probable medieval date, sited in a natural hollow on the lower SW slope of Birch Tor adjacent to the massive tinwork known as Chaw Gully. The settlement now consists of two ruined longhouses and some vestiges of associated enclosure walls. The larger longhouse is oriented approximately E - W and has a substantial earth bank around the exterior. The internal dimensions are approximately 11m by 2.7m and a single central entrance is on the N side. The whole structure is heavily shrouded in turf and heather and is disguised by bracken in the summer months. The other probable longhouse is oriented approximately N - S and consists of upstanding granite walls. The northern end of the structure is not clearly visible, therefore the length cannot be defined. The internal width is 3m. A small probably rectangular enclosure of 19m by 8m, west of the buildings has been truncated by the tinwork. It is possible that other buildings and evidence has also been destroyed by the post-medieval tinworking activity and the settlement was once much larger. Field systems probably associated with this settlement may be traced on flanks of the Redwater valley (SX 68 SE 328).

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1021340: Tinworks, field systems, settlements, warren, cairns and a stone alignment at Headland Warren

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: SX68SE312
• National Record of the Historic Environment: 1338401
• Old SAM Ref Revised: 34499

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• DESERTED SETTLEMENT (Constructed, XII to XV - 1200 AD (Between) to 1450 AD (Between))

Full description

Newman, P., 2001, Headland Warren Part 2: Medieval Settlement and Enclosures, 3-4, Figure 2 (Report - Survey). SDV360131.

(05/03/2001) Centred SX 6851 8075 a deserted settlement of probable medieval date, sited in a natural hollow on the lower SW slope of Birch Tor adjacent to the massive tinwork known as Chaw Gully. The settlement now consists of two ruined longhouses and some vestiges of associated enclosure walls.
The larger longhouse is oriented approximately E - W and has a substantial earth bank around the exterior. The internal dimensions are approximately 11m by 2.7m and a single central entrance is on the N side. The whole structure is heavily shrouded in turf and heather and is disguised by bracken in the summer months.
The other probable longhouse is oriented approximately N - S and consists of upstanding granite walls. The northern end of the structure is not clearly visible, therefore the length cannot be defined. The internal width is 3m.
A small probably rectangular enclosure of 19m by 8m, west of the buildings has been truncated by the tinwork. It is possible that other buildings and evidence has also been destroyed by the post-medieval tinworking activity and the settlement was once much larger. Field systems probably associated with this settlement may be traced on flanks of the Redwater valley (SX 68 SE 328).

Historic England, 2017, National Heritage List for England (National Heritage List for England). SDV359963.

During the Medieval period much of Headland Warren was enclosed by a series of fields many of which would have been associated with the farmstead at NGR SX 68488076. The farmstead includes at least two longhouses and associated enclosures.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV7139 - Headland Warren and the Birch Tor and Vitifer Mines Survey (Ref: A1/20/2001, A1/34/2002)

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