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Summary

A cropmark ditch of a possible Neolithic long barrow or mortuary enclosure is visible on aerial photographs taken in 1984, to the east of Sandford Barton, North Tawton.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1020072: Two long mortuary enclosures 570m east and 590m ENE of Sandford Barton

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SS60SE/80
• Old SAM Ref: 34281:01

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• LONG BARROW (Neolithic - 4000 BC to 2201 BC (Between))
• MORTUARY ENCLOSURE (Neolithic - 4000 BC to 2201 BC (Between))
• OBLONG DITCH (Neolithic - 4000 BC to 2201 BC (Between))

Full description

DAP, Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV237954.

?oblong ditch w of broadnymet. Recorded by aerial reconnaissance in 1984 (dap).

BUCKLEY ET AL, Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV237957.

Buckley interprets such sites as ploughed out long barrows and/or mortuary enclosures. Excavated examples such as rivenhall, essex, and dorchester, have produced neolithic evidence, and oblong enclosures are often associated with other neolithic monuments such as long barrows, causewayed enclosures and henge monuments, suggesting foci of ritual activity. Unclear if these sites had central mounds or internal banks defining an open area for mortuary purposes (buckley et al).

Ancient Monuments, Untitled Source (Report - Survey). SDV237958.

Vis=est -/-/2000 (ancient monuments) (one of) 2 long mortuary enclosures 570m e + 590m ene of sandford barton.

AM, Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV237959.

Approx 70m by 25m (am).

Untitled Source (Aerial Photograph). SDV237960.

Aph=dap/dc 5(23/7/1984).

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV237961.

Des=dprfp 1991 and photos ab 21,22.

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV237962.

Griffith, f. M. /pps/51(1985)311/some newly discovered ritual monuments in mid devon.

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV237963.

Buckley, d. Et al/pps/54(1988)86-91/excavations of a possible neolithic long barrow or mortuary enclosure at rivenhall,essex,1986.

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV237964.

Des=ancient monuments/(-/-/2000)/as above.

DPRFP, Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV262469.

Vis=4/11/1991 (simpson + griffith) just on the top of the hill and the crest of the hill, with a gentle w facing slope before a steep slope into stream valley. No earthworks visible (dprfp).

Griffith, F. M., Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV8774.

The cropmark does not provide such a clear-cut 'oblong ditch' as eg ss60se/52, and the identification as a ceremonial feature should be treated as provisional (griffith).

Young, A., 2005, Transcriptions from Winkleigh Biomass Plant National Mapping Programme (NMP) project (Cartographic). SDV321540.

Transcriptions of a curvilinear ditch correspond to the grid reference for PRN166926.

Young, A. & Turner, S., 2005-2006, North Devon/Winkleigh Biomass Plant National Mapping Programme (NMP) project database records, PRN166926 (Interpretation). SDV358473.

An elongated enclosure consisting of a single ditch, with dimensions 60m x 20m and a break along its west edge, is visible on aerial photographs (p1). The enclosure is likely to be the remains of a long barrow or mortuary enclosure. It has been digitally plotted as part of the National Mapping Programme.
Photograph reference:
1. DCC DAP DC/5 & 5A 23-JUL-1984

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV7455 - Winkleigh Biomass Plant National Mapping Programme

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