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Summary

Part of the dartmeet parallel reave system. This site is on the local list of Nationally Important Dartmoor sites.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1002601: Hut circle and field system NW of Saddle Bridge
• SHINE: Part of the Dartmeet parallel reave system east of Down Ridge. Earthworks and walling remains of a Bronze Age field system adjoining the Venford Reave, with numerous hut circles, enclosures, cairns and a later medieval field system

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: SX 67 SE 121
• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX67SE/246/6
• Old SAM County Ref: DV795
• Pastscape: 443210

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• PARALLEL REAVE SYSTEM (Bronze Age - 2200 BC to 701 BC (Between))

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1946, CPE/UK 1890, 2371-2372 (Aerial Photograph). SDV140289.

National Monuments Record, 1977, NMR SX6672/1, 158-161 (Aerial Photograph). SDV244382.

Fleming, A., 1978, The Prehistoric Landscape of Dartmoor. Part 1: South Dartmoor, 97-123 (Article in Serial). SDV235265.

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

Parallel reaves extending from the Venford Reave SX67SE/169 to the Wheel Emma Leat. Narrow reaves with many cross reaves. Parallel to the reave system. Visible on Royal Air Force 1946 and National Monuments Record 1977 aerial photograph.

Fleming, A., 1988, The Dartmoor Reaves: Investigating Prehistoric Land Divisions, 8, 27, 29 (Monograph). SDV229071.

Part of the Dartmeet parallel reave system. Other details: also 37, 40, 50, 57-59, 62, 66-67, 71, 121.

Fletcher, M. J., 1989, Untitled Source (Report - Survey). SDV244387.

On the northern slope of down ridge at SX65567211, within the parallel reave system, and adjoining one of the walls is the poor remains of a Type 2 hut circle. The level interior measures 5.7 meters by 4.2 meters with walling 2.2 meters wide and 0.3 meters high. There is no visible entrance (citing Ordnance Survey Archaeology Divison Card: 18/3/1980)
Elements of the Dartmeet parallel reave system and the Venford reave occur within the detached portion of the Sherberton Farm holding. On the steep northern slope of down ridge and in two parts centred at SX65077237 and SX65627229 respectively, the holding comprises enclosed, cleared and cultivated rough pasture with scattered, dense patches of clitter. The course of the Venford Reave (SX65027221 to SX65747195) forms the southern boundary of the holding and is marked by a 1.3 meter high coursed drystone newtake wall; very little trace is visible save for in places a slight turf-covered stony bank utilised as well footings. Remnants of the sophisticated parallel reave system which incorporates both transverse banks and low lynchets survive as linear boulder and stone lines 0.5 meters wide and an average 0.4 meters high visible protruding through the turf. Parts have been robbed, parts lie buried under the peat/turf and a number of the linear reaves are overlaid by in-use 19th century field walls. Within the narrow western holding only a short length of a curvilinear reave (centred SX65057221) is visible although the in-use coursed field walls almost certainly overlie other linear reaves. A small stone clearance mound at SX65357240 is probably of 19th century origin, built against a large boulder it is approximately 1.5 meters in diameter and 0.3 meters high. Four hut circles and the possible site of a fifth are individually scattered throughout the system (this distribution is comparable to other parts of the Dartmeet parallel reave system) (citing Fleming, 1988). Five huts recorded on visit 17/7/1989.

Gerrard, S., 2004, List of Sites Remaining to be Considered for Designation on Dartmoor (Un-published). SDV345444.

This site was considered for designation as a Scheduled Ancient Monument during the Monument Protection Programme. The programme ended before the entire list of sites was successfully scheduled so this is included on a local list of Nationally Important Sites.

English Heritage, 2005-2008, Prehistoric Survey Information (Report - Survey). SDV345521.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV7062 - Survey of the Wheal Emma Leat, Dartmoor

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