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Summary

A well preserved vermin trap located in dense boulder clitter on the SE slopes of Gutter Tor at SX57886676. The trap is complete. The coverstone over the tunnel measures 1.0m by 0.5m and 0.2m thick: the two holes sunk in the top were used for the tripping apparatus of the trap doors. Leading to either end of the tunnel are wing walls (each in a funnel shape) on average 0.5m high.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: SX56NE265
• National Record of the Historic Environment: 1304864
• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX56NE/93/1

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• VERMIN TRAP (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1750 AD (Between))

Full description

Cook, R. M. L., 1964, Old vermin traps on south-west Dartmoor (Article in Serial). SDV230549.

SX 5787 6676 Ditsworthy Warren. Site 7. Type 3a, a long straight wall is adapted by the addition of two wing walls on one side, which guide the vermin to the trap running parallel. Good condition. Cover and walls only. Positioned 128 meters south-east of Gutter Tor. Probable date of use 1700-1800.

Worth, R. H., 1967, Worth's Dartmoor, 160 (Monograph). SDV337618.

Fletcher, M. + Newman, P. + Probert, S., 1999, Drizzlecombe, Eylesbarrow, Ditsworthy and Hartor areas in the Plym Valley, West Devon (Report - Survey). SDV346268.

Probert, S. A. J. + Fletcher, M. J., 2002, Plym Valley survey (Report - Survey). SDV350782.

(16/02/2000) A well preserved vermin trap located in dense boulder clitter on the south-eastern slopes of Gutter Tor at SX57886676. The trap is complete. The coverstone measures 1.0m by 0.5m and 0.2m thick: the two holes sunk in the top were used for the tripping aparatus of the trap doors. Leading to either end of the tunnel are funnel-shaped walls on average 0.5m high, although one large upright slab is 1.0m high.
Worth, (1967) describing the operation of the Legis Tor trap, states that the wing walls were designated to encourage small animals and vermin towards the easier route presented by the tunnel mouths. The animals were permitted to use the tunnel unmolested until the trap was set and then tripped by the animals arrival on its passage through.

Newman, P. + Probert, S., 2005, Ringmoor Training Area: Monument Baseline Condition Survey (Report - Survey). SDV363484.

(11/03/2005) This feature remains as described in 2000.

Probert, S. A. J., 2010, A Condition Survey of the Archaeological Sites of Ringmoor, Dartmoor Training Area (Report - Survey). SDV360517.

Newman, P., 2018, Archaeological Sites within Ringmoor Training Area, Dartmoor National Park, Devon: A condition survey on behalf of Defence Infrastructure Organisation (Report - Survey). SDV361636.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV7443 - Condition survey of archaeological sites in Ringmoor Training Area
• EDV7551 - Ditsworthy Warren: An archaeological investigation
• EDV7569 - Condition survey of Ringmoor Down training area
• EDV8155 - Plym Valley Survey: EH Project (Feb 2001 - Dec 2002)
• EDV8227 - Ringmoor Training Area: Monument Baseline Condition Survey
• EDV4966 - Survey of Drizzlecombe, Eylesbarrow, Ditsworthy and Hartor. The Eylesbarrow archaeological landscape

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.