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Summary

Archaeological work along the route of a water main revealed the post ring of a prehistoric round house with an entrance porch on the south-east side. The lack of finds and internal features may suggest that this was a short-lived or seasonally occupied structure, although such a lack of artefactual material is typical of upland Devon settlement

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• ROUND HOUSE (DOMESTIC) (Early Bronze Age to Late Iron Age - 2200 BC (Between) to 42 AD (Between))

Full description

Urmston, Ben, 2008, Avon Support Main, between Roborough and Houndall, near Plymouth, Devon. (Report - Geophysical Survey). SDV358939.

Taylor, S. R., 2009, Avon SWW Pipeline, Devon: Archaeological Mitigation Archive report, p18-19, 24-25, Figs 9, 19 (Report - Assessment). SDV364052.

A programme of archaeological work was undertaken along the route of a 13.5km long water main from Roborough to Yondertown. A previous geophysical survey had identified a number of areas likely to contain archaeological deposits.
A circular post ring identified as a prehistoric round house was revealed on a slight south-facing slope at the southern end of Area D3. The post ring comprises 9 postholes arranged around a central hearth or pit, all of which contained packing stones. They are generally set 1.5m apart and form a circle 5.1m diameter. There are exceptions, however, to this arrangement on the east and south-east sides. On the west side postholes [1212] and [1216] are separated by a gap of 3.7m. This space is occupied by a shallow pit [1214], possibly the result of truncation of the feature by ploughing or perhaps indicating a former entrance. On the south-east side postholes [1200] and [1220] are separated by a gap of 2.2m. This appears to have been the doorway with two smaller postholes [1224] and [1228] just to the south-east indicating an entrance porch.
The only find recovered from the fills of these features was a potsherd from [1216].
There was little evidence for occupation within the roundhouse. Pit [1234], 0.4m diameter and 0.15m deep, lay at the centre. Its fill contained a large number of quartz stones. Pit [1250] was 0.45m diameter and 0.1m deep. Its fill contained a large piece of quartz.
The lack of artefacts and internal features may suggest that it was a short-lived or infrequently occupied structure. However, such a lack of artefactual material is typical of upland Devon settlement.
Two ditches south-east [1236] and [1230 appear to respect the structure and are likely to be contemporary with it. They have irregular bases and evidences of possible postholes suggesting that they were for a palisade or fence.
Along the south-western edge of the post ring are three shallow, oval pits [1214], [1218] and [1226]. Two of these cut postholes belonging to the roundhouse. They may represent a structure postdating the roundhouse, or possibly they represent a remodelling of the structure. A single potsherd was found in pit [1218].
A shallow, linear gully [1222] running north-west to south-east cuts through the roundhouse. It does not fit with the extant field system and is, therefore, likely to represent a medieval or earlier land division.
See report for full details.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV6704 - Archaeological Investigations Along the Route of the Avon Water Main Renewal. Avon Pipeline Scheme
• EDV6830 - Geophysical Survey, Avon Support Main (Ref: 68262.02)

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