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Summary

Prospecting pits and an associated ditch or hollow, possibly a trackway, of probably medieval to post-medieval date are visible on aerial photographs of 1948 and visualisations derived from lidar data captured between 1998 and 2017, on the north-east facing slopes of Headown Down south of Piall Bridge, overlooking the River Piall.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• PROSPECTING PIT (Early Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD to 1750 AD (Between))
• TRACKWAY (Early Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD to 1750 AD (Between))
• DRAIN? (Edwardian to Mid 20th Century - 1904 AD? to 1948 AD? (Between))

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1948, RAF/CPE/UK/2494, RAF/CPE/UK/2494 RS 4066-4067 11-MAR-1948 (Aerial Photograph). SDV361461.

Earthwork pits and hollows are visible.

Environment Agency, 1998-2017, LiDAR DTM data (1m resolution) EA: South Devon Coast to Dartmoor, LIDAR SX5960 Environment Agency DTM 01-JAN-1998 to 31-MAY-2017 (Cartographic). SDV361470.

Earthwork pits and hollows are visible.

Bluesky International Ltd/Getmapping PLC, 1999-2017, Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs, Next Perspectives APGB Imagery SX5960 03-MAY-2007 (Aerial Photograph). SDV363087.

Earthwork pits and hollows are visible.

Hegarty, C., Knight, S. and Sims, R., 2019-2020, The South Devon Coast to Dartmoor Aerial Investigation and Mapping Survey. Area 2, Avon Valley to Plymouth (AI&M, formerly NMP) (Interpretation). SDV362982.

At least three roughly circular pits are visible as earthworks on aerial photographs of 1948, crossing the contours of the north-east facing slopes of Headown Down overlooking the River Piall. The pits are up to circa 5m across and evidence of spoil is identifiable on the downslope side of at least two pits.
An irregularly shaped linear ditch or hollow up to circa 9m wide and 38m long is visible circa 7m north of, and parallel to the row of pits, also crossing the slope. The irregular shape of this earthwork might support the interpretation that it is formed from the connecting of further pits.
The pits and adjacent ditch or hollow are interpreted as the remains of prospecting pits, probably associated with tin-mining of medieval to post-medieval date.
A linear hollow circa 4m wide and 160m long immediately to the south-west is interpreted as a possible access track associated with the prospecting pits but might be an eastern extension of an early to mid-20th century date drain from Headon Down, associated with Headon China Clay Works.
The earthworks remain identifiable on visualisations derived from lidar data captured between 1998 and 2017.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV8098 - The South Devon Coast to Dartmoor Aerial Investigation and Mapping (formerly NMP) Survey, Area 2, Avon Valley to Plymouth (Ref: ACD2040)

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