See important guidance on the use of this record.

If you have any comments or new information about this record, please email us.

Summary

One of over 40 such 'sacred' pools identified on Dartmoor that are thought to have potentially been designed during the prehistoric period. Livestock watering pond, 30 metres by 20 metres and 0.6 metres deep. Pool has been modified by peat cutting.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• POND (Constructed, Early Neolithic to Late Iron Age - 4000 BC? (Between) to 42 AD (Between))

Full description

Greeves, T. A. P., 2019, Dartmoor's Sacred Pools. Design in the Prehistoric Landscape, 4, Black Pool (Article in Serial). SDV363426.

Black Pool (Western Beacon) measures around 31 by 21m.
One of over 40 such 'sacred' pools identified on Dartmoor that are thought to have potentially been designed during the prehistoric period, and may have been used to deposit votive items, although these Dartmoor examples may have alternative significance as designed prehistoric elements in the landscape. Many are located on ridge tops and in conjunction with cairns, stone rows and other prehistoric features. Further research may well reveal more about these interesting features.

Ordnance Survey, 2020, MasterMap 2020 (Cartographic). SDV363413.

Pool is depicted on the modern mapping.

Riley, H., 2021, UG21 heritage asset database and gazetteer of sites (Report - Survey). SDV364699.

Visited on 13th January 2021, surveyed and photographed. Black Pool south of Butterdon Hill: livestock watering pond, 30 metres east to west, 20 metres north to south, 0.6 metres deep; modified by peat cutting.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV8770 - Archaeological Survey: Ugborough Premier Archaeological Lanscape, Harford and Ugborough

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.