See important guidance on the use of this record.

If you have any comments or new information about this record, please email us.

Summary

Aerial reconnaissance in 1984 identified two intersecting enclosures at Hampson Cross, Bow, relationship unknown. A group of three postholes are located within the enclosure.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1015472: A henge, two barrows, two ring ditches, two enclosures and part of a linear feature 420m north west of Lower Hampson

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SS70SW/69
• Old SAM County Ref: 1026
• Old SAM Ref: 28633

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• ENCLOSURE (Early Neolithic to Late Bronze Age - 4000 BC? (Between) to 701 BC? (Between))

Full description

GRIFFITH 1985, Aerial Reconnaissance, Enclosures, Hampson Cross, Bow (Aerial Photograph). SDV45536.

Aerial reconnaissance in 1984 identified two intersecting enclosures at hampson cross, relationship unknown. One, trapezoidal measures 80m e-w by (max) 70m n-s, while the other is polygonal maximum diameter 50m (griffith 1985).

Unknown, MIGRATED RECORD - MONUMENT PROTECTION PROGRAMME DATA (Migrated Record). SDV331.

Des=vis=15/1/1996 (gerrard) two enclosures situated on a hilltop location. They form part of a complex of ritual and funerary monuments located around the village of bow. They also lie within an area of devon which has concentrations of the place name 'nymet', thought to have some celtic sacred implication.
Des=these 2 distinct overlapping enclosures lie e of a nearby henge. The larger of the 2 is roughly rectangular and measures 85m e-w and 73m n-s. The second enclosure is also sub-rectangular in shape and measures 43m n-s by 33m e-w. Both enclosures have entrances on the e side. The exact date and chronological progression of these enclosures is unclear.
Des=in the area between the henge and the enclosures, aps indicate a series of pits, ditches and other features which are difficult to rationalise into distinct features but which clearly indicate a concentration of archaeological activity (mpp).

DPRFP, Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV262469.

Vis=5/3/1991 (simpson) the enclosures are sited on a generally flat area of a gentle east slope of hill. There is a shallow depression within the area of the trapezoidal enclosure (dprfp).

FMG 26/7/1999!, Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV45540.

Some photographs of this site (eg: dap/bf 3-6a) appear to show a possible slight ring feature - either a ring ditch or a round house - south west of and slightly intersecting with the splodge in the ne corner of the enclosure. This feature has a discontinuous appearance - post-built? (fmg 26/7/1999!).

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV45541.

Griffith, f. M. /pps/51(1985)310-5/copy in parish file.

Untitled Source (Aerial Photograph). SDV45542.

Aph=dap/ae 4-7(27/6/1984).

Untitled Source (Aerial Photograph). SDV45543.

Aph=dab/db 12(23/7/1984).

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV45544.

Dprfp 1991 and photos aa 15.

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV45545.

Des=mpp/139589.

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV45546.

Nmr=ss70sw30.

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV45547.

Des=miller, a. /(30/1/1996)/rchme ap primary recording project.

Untitled Source (Aerial Photograph). SDV45548.

Aph=nmr/ss7001/4-5, 9, 12-20, 22-23, 26-32, 34-35, 37-39, 48-50; ss7101/1-3, 13-14.

Untitled Source (Aerial Photograph). SDV45549.

Aph=dap/iy 2,2a,3/(17/7/1987).

Untitled Source (Aerial Photograph). SDV45550.

Aph=dap/bf 3-6a/(6/7/1984).

Untitled Source (Aerial Photograph). SDV45551.

Aph=dap/ku 5a, 8/(1/7/1988).

Griffiths, F. M. + Wilkes, E., 2005, Bow Henge: Geophysical Survey Greyscale Plot (Report - Geophysical Survey). SDV361031.

Geophysical survey image shows a large rectangular shaped enclosure with a smaller trapezoidal shaped enclosure intersecting the northern boundary of the larger enclosure (see MDV122171). Feature of ring ditch is also visible (see MDV60717).

Morris, B., 2019, Hampson Farm, Bow, Mid Devon: Evaluation (Report - Evaluation). SDV363099.

South West Archaeology Ltd. was commissioned by the landowner to undertake an archaeological evaluation across a Scheduled Monument at Bow in Mid Devon containing a Class II Henge and a pair of Prehistoric enclosures. The programme of works was designed to record the thickness of the topsoil/subsoil, to assess the current state of the monuments in order to draw up an appropriate management strategy for the site, and to facilitate long-term monitoring of their condition.

Trench 3 targeting the larger enclosure and the cropmark of what could be interpreted as a structure or ringditch (see MDV60717), revealed the ditch of the enclosure. It is possible that the enclosure was bivallate but this is not corroborated by the geophysical survey or the cropmark evidence.

Outside of the enclosure were two small postholes. Inside the enclosure was a possible section of a ring ditch with terminal posthole (see see MDV13038), and a larger, poorly-defined feature at the western end of the trench (perhaps a sunken-featured Bronze Age roundhouse (see MDV130385). Relevant finds were restricted to 5 sherds of possible early medieval pottery and 4 small rounded granite pebbles.

TR4 was located south and west of TR3, targeting the interior of the larger enclosure. The depth
of the soils in this trench were similar to those elsewhere, slightly deeper to the centre of the trench, which corresponds to the lowest point on the slope. The deposits were mottled black with manganese, with one area of gravels near the centre of the trench cemented with manganese. During the excavation groundwater filled this trench to the brim, and an overflow channel was cut on its eastern side to allow it to drain. The flow of water flooded and masked features across the northern half of the trench. A group of three large postholes, one with a very clear charcoal-rich post pipe (S1 and S2), together with a sub-rectangular pit at least 0.82m across, were identified in the southern half of the trench. There were no finds.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV7549 - Geophysical Survey: Bow Henge, field to west of Hampson Cross, Bow
• EDV8166 - Evaluation: Hampson Farm, Bow, Mid Devon (Ref: 190515)

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