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Summary

A nineteenth century wheelpit at Birch Tor and Vitifer Tin Mines. An archaeological field survey in 2001 identified the wheelpit situated on the north side of a very large openwork (Monument HOB UID 1332395) and had been sunk into the bottom of a narrow linear gully. To the east this gully develops into a tailrace from the waterwheel but to the west it originally housed the flat rods from the wheel which powered underground pumps further west within the openwork. The wheelpit measures 8.3 metres by 2.3 metres and survived to a depth of 1.2 metres. A raised revetment extended around three sides of the wheelpit to hold back the sides of the gully.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1021340: Tinworks, field systems, settlements, warren, cairns and a stone alignment at Headland Warren

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: SX68SE320
• National Record of the Historic Environment: 1339524
• Old SAM Ref Revised: 34499

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• TAIL RACE (Constructed, XVIII to XIX - 1800 AD (Between) to 1900 AD (Between))
• TRANSMISSION RODS (Constructed, XVIII to XIX - 1800 AD (Between) to 1900 AD (Between))
• WHEEL PIT (Constructed, XVIII to XIX - 1800 AD (Between) to 1900 AD (Between))

Full description

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

Broughton, D. G., 1968-1969, The Birch Tor & Vitifer tin mining complex (Article in Serial). SDV291528.

Newman, P., 2002, Headland Warren and the Birch Tor and Vitifer Mines (Report - Survey). SDV363213.

(29/03/2001) A wheelpit at SX 6788 8082 part of the 19th-20th century Birch Tor and Vitifer Tin Mine. The wheelpit is sited on the north side of a very large openwork (Monument HOB UID 1332395) and has been built sunk into the bottom of a narrow linear gully. To the east this gully develops into a tailrace from the wheel but to the west it once accommodated the flat rods from the wheel which powered underground pumps further west within the openwork. The wheelpit measures 8.3m by 2.3m by 1.2m deep. A raised revetment runs around three sides of the wheelpit to hold back the sides of the gully. The wheelpit and the revetment are all heavily disguised by heather.
Wheelpit depicted on OS (1885) and by Broughton (1968).

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV7139 - Headland Warren and the Birch Tor and Vitifer Mines Survey (Ref: A1/20/2001, A1/34/2002)

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