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Summary

One of two similar, small, ruined circular structures built into the outer wall of a prehistoric enclosure. The sites have previously been recorded as tinners’ caches, though of this there is no certainty. The overall outer diameter of the approximately circular stony mound is 2.6 metres, but the interior walls form a rectangle of approximately 1.5 metres by 1.2 metres. These structures appear to be post-prehistoric intrusions, but their date and purpose is unknown. This area of the Erme Valley is affected by a dense covering of bracken in the summer months, totally obscuring these remains.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1012765: Unenclosed stone hut settlement with enclosures north of Piles Copse

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: SX66SW86
• National Record of the Historic Environment: 442421
• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX66SW/128/4
• Old SAM County Ref: 813
• Old SAM Ref: 10521

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• TINNERS CACHE? (Early Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD (Between) to 1750 AD? (Between))

Full description

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, 1977, SX66SW86, D? (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV147916.

(20/12/1977) One of five structures (see related records), which appear to be tinners' caches, built within a prehistoric enclosed settlement (Monument HOB UID 442312). They may be associated with the extensive tin streaming of Medieval and later date which is visible alongside the River Erme, hereabouts.
D: SX 64446262. Rectangular, 1.3m by 1.0m, with two to four courses of walling built down into the prehistoric enclosure wall to a depth of 0.4m. There is no roof or entrance, simply a box like structure.
Only feature 'A' was surveyed on MSD at 10 000, the scale precluding portrayal of the others. Found during field investigation.

Hankin, C. F., 1977-1980, Harford Parish Checklist (Worksheet). SDV149931.

(July 1977) Tinners' cache north of Piles Copse. Just outside the south wall of prehistoric enclosure SX 64416264. A small rectangular structure of stones measuring 2.1m by 1.5m (external measurements), placed to form a trough-like cavity within, approximately 0.5m deep.
Ordnance Survey 1977 Cache 'D', SX 64446262. "rectangular 1.3m by 1.0m with two to four courses of walling built down into the Prehistoric enclosure walling to depth of 0.4m. No roof or entrance, simply a box-like structure.

Butler, J., 1993, Dartmoor Atlas of Antiquities: Volume Four - The South-East, 48-50, Map 54, Figure 54.9 (Monograph). SDV337765.

Feature '2' at 'Three Barrows West 2' in the outer wall by the main entrance to the settlement was probably a tinner's cache.

Newman, P., 2018, Erme Valley Survey data (GIS and Excel spreadsheet) (Cartographic). SDV361913.

Grid reference should be SX 64419 62650. Depicted on GIS survey data.

Newman, P., 2018, The Upper Erme Valley, Dartmoor National Park, Devon: An Archaeological Survey (Report - Survey). SDV362921.

One of two similar, small, ruined circular structures built into the outer wall of a prehistoric enclosure on the eastern lower slopes of the River Erme, 300 metres north of Piles Copse. The sites have previously been recorded as tinners’ caches, though of this there is no certainty. The overall outer diameter of the approximately circular stony mound is 2.6 metres, but the interior walls form a rectangle of approximately 1.5 metres by 1.2 metres. These structures appear to be post-prehistoric intrusions, but their date and purpose is unknown. This area of the Erme Valley is affected by a dense covering of bracken in the summer months, totally obscuring these remains.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV8082 - Survey of the Upper Erme Valley

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