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HER Number:MDV135667
Name:Pits and postholes to the east of Galva House, Sparkwell

Summary

A group of undated pits was recorded during a programme of archaeological works undertaken along the route of a water main. They proved on excavation to be a mix of tree bowls and possible postholes which could potentially represent a roundhouse.

Location

Grid Reference:SX 567 579
Map Sheet:SX55NE
Admin AreaDevon
Civil ParishSparkwell
DistrictSouth Hams
Ecclesiastical ParishPLYMPTON ST.MARY

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

  • PIT (Unknown date)
  • POST HOLE (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, 22, 28, Fig. 13 (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 group of eight small pits and/or tree bowls [1600] was recorded in Area G2. Five appeared to form the arc of a ring but one of them [1609] proved on excavation to be a tree bowl. Two of the others [1611] and [1617] were shallow pits while [1605] and [1607] had the appearance of postholes with in situ packing stones. The remaining three pits [1619], [1602] and [1621] were a tree throw and two possible postholes respectively. There were no finds from any of the pits.
It is possible that the features resembling postholes could represent a roundhouse but they did not appear to form a coherent structure.
Radiocarbon dating is recommended to establish a date for the features.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV358939Report - Geophysical Survey: Urmston, Ben. 2008. Avon Support Main, between Roborough and Houndall, near Plymouth, Devon.. Wessex Archaeology. 68262.02. Digital.
SDV364052Report - Assessment: Taylor, S. R.. 2009. Avon SWW Pipeline, Devon: Archaeological Mitigation Archive report. Cornwall County Council Report. 09R087. A4 Comb Bound. 22, 28, Fig. 13. [Mapped feature: #143836 ]

Associated Monuments

MDV114968Related to: Archaeological features to east of Galva House, Sparkwell (Monument)

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)

Date Last Edited:Apr 9 2025 5:01PM