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Summary

Earthworks of sub-oval, curvilinear and irregularly shaped pits, gullies and banks, interpreted as evidence of a possible medieval or post-medieval alluvial tin streamworks, are visible on visualisations derived from lidar data captured in 2010.

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

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

The visible earthworks do not correspond with any features in this location.

Environment Agency, 2000-2019, LiDAR DTM data (1m resolution) EA: Tamar Aerial Survey project area, LIDAR Environment Agency LAST RETURN 17-JAN-2010 (Cartographic). SDV363954.

Earthworks of sub-oval, curvilinear and irregularly shaped pits, gullies and banks are visible.

Hegarty, C., 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.

Earthworks of sub-oval, curvilinear and irregularly shaped pits, gullies and banks are visible on visualisations derived from lidar data captured in 2010. The earthworks measure between 5-70 metres long and occupy an area of circa 2.7 hectares, within a steep-sided combe that extends into the River Tavy floodplain.
The earthworks do not correspond with any features in this location on the late-19th century First Edition Ordnance Survey map, which shows this area as comprising woodland labelled as ‘Broadwell Wood’.
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 that they represent the extractive pits, stream channels and associated spoil heaps of a possible medieval or post-medieval alluvial tin streamworks which had been abandoned by the late-19th century. Water used in the washing and processing of the tin-ore was probably sourced from the spring-fed streams that pass through the combe, possibly via a series of leats. The working face of the streamworks is possibly visible as a sharp scarp along the south-east and north-west edges of the earthworks.
The earthworks are not visible on other available aerial imagery owing to dense tree cover of Broadwell Wood. Further investigations, such as a site inspection is recommended to help define the character of these earthworks.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

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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