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Summary

Site of a former lime kiln(s) marked on the Tithe Map. Archaeological evaluation and monitoring undertaken in association with a proposed extension for the museum recorded several dump deposits of slag, lime and heat-affected material associated with the lime kiln.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• LIME KILN (Constructed, XVIII to XIX - 1751 AD to 1900 AD (Between))

Full description

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

Lime kiln[s] marked in this location.

Webb, P., 2016, Barnstaple Museum Extension, Barnstaple, North Devon: Results of an Archaeological Evaluation. (Report - Evaluation). SDV360472.

Archaeological evaluation test-pitting undertaken in support of a planning application for a proposed extension to the Museum building identified a number of features and deposits. All of the features were shown to be post-medieval or later in date, and demonstrate the urban development of the site, from initial industrial use associated with riverside lime and pottery production, with possible associated structures to the west.
To the south of the museum, test-pit 1 identified the foundations {103} and {107} of the existing building which had been cut into earlier deposits which reveal the 18th century industrial use of the riverside, and in particular nearby presence of lime kilns. The working of these kilns is demonstrated by the presence of several dump layers containing oyster shell, slag, and lime; the heat affected nature of other layers indicating the immediate disposal of kiln waste. This industrial activity can be seen to be continued in proximity to the site into the 19th century, dump deposit (105) indicating that it was now associated with the production of pottery rather than lime.
See report for full details.

Webb, P., 2019, Barnstaple Museum Extension, The Square, Barnstaple. Results of Archaeological Monitoring and Recording, 20 (Report - Watching Brief). SDV362945.

Archaeological monitoring and recording was undertaken during groundworks associated with development works as part of an extension to Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon, adjacent to the north end of Barnstaple Long Bridge.
A series of dump deposits (423-429) containing slag, lime and heat-affected material were recorded in the south-east corner of the site (Area 4). They correspond with layers recorded in Test pit 01 and pre-date the construction of the museum building. They indicate the presence nearby of lime kilns in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Further heat affected and slag deposits were also found to the west (439), (440), and (444) suggesting that the material was spread across more of the site than indicated by the evaluation. However, these deposits may represent levelling material, particularly given the presence of a slag deposit (454) above cobble surface (455), the former presumably deposited when the cobbles were no longer in use as a surface. See report for full details.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV7429 - Results of an Archaeological Evaluation at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon (Ref: 161116)
• EDV8599 - Archaeological monitoring and recording at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

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