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| HER Number: | MDV19823 |
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| Name: | Vermin trap near Combestone Island, Widecombe in the Moor |
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Summary
our ruinous walls converge towards the vermin trap. The trap consists of a stone lined pit sunk into the ground. The pit was originally water filled in order to drown the rodents that would fall into it. The vermin trap is important in a local context and is a unique example of its type.
Location
| Grid Reference: | SX 674 723 |
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| Map Sheet: | SX67SE |
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| Admin Area | Dartmoor National Park |
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| Civil Parish | Widecombe in the Moor |
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| District | Teignbridge |
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| Ecclesiastical Parish | ASHBURTON |
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Protected Status: none recorded
Other References/Statuses
- Old DCC SMR Ref: SX67SE/126/6
Monument Type(s) and Dates
- VERMIN TRAP (Constructed, Early Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD (Between) to 1750 AD (Between))
Full description
Haynes, R. G., 1971-1973, An unusual vermin trap on Dartmoor, 216 (Article in Serial). SDV285243.
(23/06/1972) Rectangular stone lined pit 3m by 1m and 1m deep. Funnel walls stretch from the four corners reaching a cliff of clitter on one side and the River Dart on the other. The pit is believed to have been filled with water and vermin were trapped and drowned.
Beeson, M. M. R. + Masterman, M. C. H., 1979, An Archaeological Survey of Enclosed Land in Widecombe-In-The-Moor Parish, Vol V, 977 (Report - Survey). SDV337078.
(01/06/1979) Vermin trap on the east bank of the Dart just below Combestone Island. Remains of four walls converge in an envelope pattern on to a walled pit which measures length 2.9m by 0.6m depth by width 1.05m. See sketch on worksheet. It could have been used up until very recently.
Marchand, J., 2005, Archaeology within Mel Tor Wood, 1 (Report - Survey). SDV364979.
Four ruinous walls converge towards the vermin trap. The trap consists of a stone lined pit sunk into the ground. The pit was originally water filled in order to drown the rodents that would fall into it.
The vermin trap is important in a local context and is a unique example of its type. The feature should be kept free from saplings and scrub and be excluded from areas of new planting.
Sources / Further Reading
| SDV285243 | Article in Serial: Haynes, R. G.. 1971-1973. An unusual vermin trap on Dartmoor. Devon and Cornwall Notes & Queries. 32. Unknown. 216. [Mapped feature: #10114 ] |
| SDV337078 | Report - Survey: Beeson, M. M. R. + Masterman, M. C. H.. 1979. An Archaeological Survey of Enclosed Land in Widecombe-In-The-Moor Parish. Devon Committee for Rescue Archaeology Report. Vols I - V. A4 Comb Bound. Vol V, 977. |
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Associated Monuments
| MDV6523 | Part of: Vaghill Warren, Widecombe in the Moor (Monument) |
Associated Finds: none recorded
Associated Events
- EDV8827 - Survey of Mel Tor Wood
| Date Last Edited: | Aug 23 2022 3:28PM |
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