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Summary

Sub-oval and irregularly shaped pits, cuttings and mounds, interpreted as evidence of a possible medieval or post-medieval alluvial tin streamworks, are visible as earthworks on aerial photographs taken in 1962 and 1964 and on visualisations derived from lidar data captured between 1998 and 2017. The streamworks had probably passed out of use by the mid-19th century.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• STREAMWORKS (Early Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD to 1750 AD (Between))

Full description

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

The earthworks correspond with woodland of Ham Plantation.

Royal Air Force, 1962, RAF/58/5095, RAF/58/5095 F22 006-007 01-MAY-1962 (Aerial Photograph). SDV351597.

Earthworks of cuttings and mounds are visible following tree clearance of Ham Plantation.

Royal Air Force, 1964, RAF/58/6399, RAF/58/6399 F64 377-378 02-JUL-1964 (Aerial Photograph). SDV363068.

Earthworks of cuttings and mounds are visible following tree clearance of Ham Plantation.

Environment Agency, 1998-2017, LiDAR DTM data (1m resolution) EA: South Devon Coast to Dartmoor, LIDAR SX5262 Environment Agency DTM 01-JAN-1998 to 31-MAY-2017 (Cartographic). SDV361470.

Earthworks of cuttings, pits and mounds 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.

Sub-oval and irregularly shaped pits, cuttings and mounds are visible as earthworks within deforested ground on aerial photographs taken in 1962 and 1964 and on visualisations derived from lidar data captured between 1998 and 2017. The earthworks occupy an area of circa 3.5 hectares of woodland along the western side of the River Plym. The earthworks do not correspond with any pit or mound features depicted in this location on the mid-19th century Parish Tithe Map, which shows this area as comprising woodland. Transcription of these earthworks was carried out primarily using Simple Local Relief and Positive Openess lidar visualisations. Given their complexity and in places subtle nature, not all visible earthworks have been transcribed and an extent of area polygon has been used to define the approximate limit of the earthworks. Their character and form support the interpretation they represent the extractive pits, stream channels and associated spoil heaps of a possible medieval or post-medieval alluvial tin streamworks which had passed out of use by the mid-19th century, by which time the area had been given over to woodland. Water used in the washing and processing of the tin-ore was probably sourced from the River Plym to the east, or a watercourse to the north, via a series of leats. The working face of the streamworks is clearly visible as an irregularly shaped scarp along the western edge of the earthworks. The earthworks are not visible on other available aerial imagery other than aerial photographs of 1962 and 1964 and lidar imagery owing to dense tree cover. Further investigations, such as targeted trenching is recommended to help define the character of these earthworks. Earthworks of other streamworks have been recorded in this area to the north and south.

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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