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Summary

A linear arrangement of sub-oval and irregularly shaped pits and cuttings is visible as earthworks on aerial photographs taken from 1946 onwards and on visualisations derived from lidar data captured in 2013. They are interpreted as medieval or post-medieval extractive or prospecting pits for possible tin.

Location

Protected Status

• SHINE: Earthwork and structural remains of the World War II RAF Harrowbeer airfield, as well as medieval fields and farms, industrial tin working, sections of the Devonport and Plymouth Leats, and part of the Plymouth and Dartmoor Tramway on Roborough Down

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX56SW/115
• SHINE Candidate (Yes)

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• EXTRACTIVE PIT (Early Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD (Between) to 1750 AD (Between))
• PROSPECTING PIT (Early Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD (Between) to 1750 AD (Between))
• SPOIL HEAP (Early Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD? (Between) to 1750 AD (Between))

Full description

Untitled Source (Aerial Photograph). SDV168693.

Aph=raf 106g uk 1190 4195(24/2/1946).

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV168694.

Des=greeves, t. /phd thesis(1981).

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV168695.

Des=gray, v. /parish checklist. Pluckpenny tin mine is mentioned in documents dating back to the 16th century. See worksheet (greeves cited by gray).

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV168696.

Gray, v. /tda/122(1990)79/a leat on roborough down and an early seventeenth century tinners' dispute.

Devon County Council, 1838-1848, Tithe Mosaic, approximately 1838-1848 (Cartographic). SDV349431.

The earthworks do not correspond with any pit features in this location.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1190, RAF/106G/UK/1190 RP 3275-3276 27-FEB-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV363067.

Sub-oval and irregularly shaped pits and cuttings are visible as earthworks.

Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England, 1985, Aerial Photograph Project (Dartmoor) - Dartmoor Pre-NMP (Cartographic). SDV319854.

Linear group of spoil heaps visible on aerial image. Western extension at SX 5200 6498. Eastern extension at SX 5228 6498.

NERC, 2013, LiDAR DTM data (1m resolution) Tellus: South Devon to Dartmoor, LIDAR SX5264 Tellus DTM 01-JUL-2013 to 31-AUG-2013 (Cartographic). SDV361514.

Sub-oval and irregularly shaped pits and cuttings are visible as earthworks.

Hegarty, C., Knight, S. and Sims, R., 2019-2021, The South Devon Coast to Dartmoor Aerial Investigation and Mapping Survey. Area 2, Avon Valley to Plymouth (AI&M, formerly NMP) (Interpretation). SDV362982.

An east to west alignment of sub-oval and irregularly shaped pits and cuttings, between 3m and 100m long, is visible as earthworks on aerial photographs taken from 1946 onwards and on visualisations derived from lidar data captured in 2013. The cuttings are themselves probably composed of numerous intercutting pits. The earthworks do not correspond with any pit features in this location on the mid-19th century Parish Tithe Map, or on later available historic maps. They are interpreted as medieval or post-medieval extractive or prospecting pits for possible tin which are likely associated with the earthworks (MDV127221) recorded circa 40m to the east. No obvious evidence of spoil heaps associated with these pits and recorded elsewhere within this record was visible.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV8098 - The South Devon Coast to Dartmoor Aerial Investigation and Mapping (formerly NMP) Survey, Area 2, Avon Valley to Plymouth (Ref: ACD2040)

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