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Summary

One of a group of four barrows on Greena Ball. This may be one of a group of peat charcoal burning platforms on Greena Ball

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX57NE/30

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• (Former Type) CAIRN (Early Bronze Age to Early Iron Age - 2200 BC to 700 BC (Between))
• Peat Burning Platform (XI to XIX - 1100 AD to 1900 AD)

Full description

Rowe, S., 1896, A Perambulation of the Forest of Dartmoor (Monograph). SDV249697.

Cairn 'a'. One of a group of four on Greena Ball. Diameter 8.8 metres, height 0.7 metres.

Baring Gould, S., 1900, A Book of Dartmoor, 272 (Monograph). SDV277387.

Falcon, T. A., 1905, Dartmoor: A Note on Graves, 460 (Article in Serial). SDV255372.

Newman , P., 2012, The Archaeological Legacy of the Carbonarii on Dartmoor – Interim Statement and Gazetter of Peat Charcoal Burning Sites, Greena Ball (Report - Interim). SDV356948.

Cluster of seven 'Meiler' platforms located on the north-east slope of Greena Ball. The largest three of the mounds were formerly designated as 'Tumuli' on Ordnance Survey maps.
The existence of a peat charcoal industry on Dartmoor has its origins in the 12th century or earlier. Peat charcoal was used for iron smithing and tin smelting from the Medieval period until the 19th century. It provided a major income for Dartmoor residents. Large areas of suitable peat would have been harvested and dried before being burned to produce charcoal. The platforms onto which these ‘meilers’ were constructed are the only field evidence for the process.
‘Meiler’ platforms comprise raised, usually circular, earthworks with level tops. Although similar to peat drying platforms they lack the peripheral drainage ditch and charcoal samples confirm their use. The level platform was prepared with circular tiers of dried peat bricks with horizontal vents to admit a controlled air flow.
Sites for peat charcoal burning were always on raised ground within areas of visible turf cutting and, on Dartmoor, between altitudes 465 metres and 545 metres OD. The cutting was often extensive and sometimes areas were denuded of peat. The platforms recorded so far are mostly organised in clusters at single locations suggesting that burning was undertaken at regional hubs.

National Monument Record, 2014, Pastscape, 439590 (Website). SDV355682.

Four Bronze Age barrows were alleged at this location. However, field investigation suggests that the features are more likely to be peat stacks of uncertain date.
"Four oval tumuli, in a peat bog". The fourth 'd' lies at Grid Reference SX56837788.
Site visited on 28th June 1950. Turf covered, in good condition with slight hollow in centre.
Site visited on 1st September 1978. The general appearance of these mounds suggests they are peat stacks.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV6556 - Survey of peat charcoal burning sites around Dartmoor Forest
• EDV7441 - Condition survey of the archaeological sites of Merrivale Training Area
• EDV7570 - Condition survey of Merrivale Range training area

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