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Summary

Earthwork pits identifiable from visualisations derived from lidar data captured in 2019 on the south-west facing slope between Heathfield Cross and Torrdown Plantation are possibly the remains of extractive or prospecting pits of post-medieval to early 19th century date.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• EXTRACTIVE PIT (Post Medieval to XIX - 1540 AD to 1840 AD (Between))
• PROSPECTING PIT (Post Medieval to XIX - 1540 AD to 1840 AD (Between))

Full description

South West Heritage Trust, 1838-1848, Digitised Tithe Maps and Transcribed Apportionments (Cartographic). SDV359954.

The visible earthworks do not correspond with any pit depicted on the Tithe Map for Aveton Gifford. Plot 311 is listed as rough pasture named Lower Brake.

Environment Agency, 2019, National Lidar Programme, LIDAR Environment Agency DTM 25-FEB-2019 (Cartographic). SDV363691.

Pits and extensive disturbed ground consisting of pits and mounds is identifiable as earthworks.

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 five individual pits up to 10m across and an area of disturbed ground 130m long and circa 25m wide are identifiable as subtle earthworks from visualisations derived from lidar data captured in 2019 on the south-west facing slope between Heathfield Cross and Torrdown Plantation,
The earthworks are interpreted as extractive or prospecting pits.
They do not correspond with any features depicted on the Tithe Map for Aveton Gifford and the Tithe Apportionment lists this plot (Plot 311) as rough pasture named Lower Brake. This could support the interpretation that the ground had relatively recently been improved or ‘broken’ and that the prospecting or extractive activity therefore probably ceased prior to the early 19th century.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

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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