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Summary

Earthworks of irregularly shaped pits and mounds and curvilinear banks and ditches, interpreted as evidence of a possible medieval or post-medieval alluvial tin streamworks, are visible on visualisations derived from lidar data captured in 2005. The visible earthworks extend along the River Walkham floodplain, at Bucktor.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• EXTRACTIVE PIT (Early Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD to 1750 AD (Between))
• SPOIL HEAP (Early Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD to 1750 AD (Between))
• STREAMWORKS (Early Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD to 1750 AD (Between))

Full description

Ordnance Survey, 1880-1899, First Edition Ordnance 25 inch map (Cartographic). SDV336179.

The area of the earthworks is shown as woodland, orchard and rough ground. Two banks correspond with earthworks.

Environment Agency, 2000-2019, LiDAR DTM data (1m resolution) EA: Tamar Aerial Survey project area, LIDAR Environment Agency LAST RETURN 22-FEB-2005 (Cartographic). SDV363954.

Earthworks of irregularly shaped pits and mounds and curvilinear banks and ditches are visible.

Hegarty, C., Houghton, E., Knight, S. and Sims, R., 2020-2021, Tamar/Lidar; A Single Source Approach to Landscape Survey and Socially Distanced Community Archaeology Area 1 (AI&M project) (Interpretation). SDV363945.

Irregularly shaped pits and mounds and curvilinear banks and ditches are visible as earthworks on visualisations derived from lidar data captured in 2005. The earthworks occupy an area of circa 7 hectares of floodplain along, and either side of, the River Walkham. They typically measure between 6-40 metres long, although larger earthworks up to 110 metres long are also visible.
The area of the earthworks is shown as woodland, orchard and rough ground on the late 19th century First Edition Ordnance Survey map. Two of the banks at SX47746979 and SX48447016 correspond with earthworks on this map.
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.
The character and form of the earthworks support the interpretation that they are 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 late-19th century. Water used in the washing and processing of the tin-ore was probably sourced from the River Walkham, via a series of leats. The workings are similar in character to earthworks of a streamworks recorded in proximity to the north-east (MDV63696) and are probably associated.
Some of the transcribed earthworks may be associated with later mining activity that has been recorded in this area, for example mine shaft (MDV79966) of Westdown Mine.
The earthworks are not clearly visible on other available aerial imagery owing to dense tree cover. Further investigations, such as targeted trenching is recommended to help define the character of these earthworks.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV8345 - Tamar/Lidar; A Single Source Approach to Landscape Survey and Socially Distanced Community Archaeology Area 1 (AI&M) (Ref: ACD2380)

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