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Summary

Tin pits arranged in clusters and alignments on the north and NW slopes of Birch Tor. The pits vary in size between 2.5 and 5m diameter. Most are shallow now filled with silt but some larger examples are up to 2m deep. All have crescentic collars of spoil on the downslope side or to one side. Most of the pits are likely to be prospecting pits though some of the larger examples may have been where extraction took place. None of the pits are documented but are likely to be post-medieval i.e.. c. 1450-1750.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1021342: Two Headland Warren boundary stones, 275m and 430m north of Birch Tor
• Scheduled Monument 1021341: Round cairn and Headland Warren boundary stone 210m north of Birch Tor
• Scheduled Monument 1021340: Tinworks, field systems, settlements, warren, cairns and a stone alignment at Headland Warren

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: SX68SE364
• National Record of the Historic Environment: 1345189
• Old SAM Ref Revised: 34499

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• EXTRACTIVE PIT (Constructed, Post Medieval to Early 20th Century - 1540 AD (Between) to 1901 AD (Between))

Full description

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

(26/07/2001) Centred SX 6878 8122. Tin pits arranged in clusters and alignments on the north and NW slopes of Birch Tor. The pits vary in size between 2.5 and 5m diameter. Most are shallow now filled with silt but some larger examples are up to 2m deep. All have crescentic collars of spoil on the downslope side or to one side. Most of the pits are likely to be prospecting pits though some of the larger examples may have been where extraction took place. None of the pits are documented but are likely to be post-medieval i.e.. c. 1450-1750.
1. SW - NE linear cluster 550m long between SX 6864 8177 and SX 6916 8193. Includes some large examples.
2. Cluster just north of 1 centred SX 6880 8191.
3. Cluster SX 6908 8206.
4. SW-NE alignment 130m between SX 6898 8225 and SX 6911 8230.
5. 2 small alignments centred SX 6882 8166
6. Two transecting alignments centred SX 6833 8168.
7. Alignment centred SX 6853 8163.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV7139 - Headland Warren and the Birch Tor and Vitifer Mines Survey (Ref: A1/20/2001, A1/34/2002)
• EDV8658 - Challacombe, Duchy Farms Survey

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