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Summary

Cropmarks features previously interpreted from on aerial photographs of 1992 as possible enclosure ditches and a terraced enclosed area of a later prehistoric a possible hilltop enclosure, to the east of Teignmouth Golf Club, are reinterpreted from earthworks visisble on digital images derived from lidar data captured between 1998 and 2017, as probably geological in origin.

Location

Protected Status

• SHINE: Prehistoric circular, double ditched enclosure north west of Higher Holcombe

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX97NW/140
• Pastscape: 1031486

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• NON ANTIQUITY (Unknown date)
• (Former Type) ENCLOSURE (Early Bronze Age to Late Iron Age - 2200 BC to 42 AD (Between))

Full description

British Geological Survey, BGS 50000 scale digital geology (Website). SDV358790.

The possible enclosure is situated on an oval plateau or outcrop of upper greensand sandstone surrounded by a band of upper greensand gravel.

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

Further examination of 1992 photographs and the sww one taken 2/10/97 suggest that the enclosure also survives as a length of bank in the field to the south of the roads bisecting it (fmg).

DPRFP, Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV262469.

Vis=10/3/1994 (robinson) inner ditch encircles the flat top of a small steep-sided hill, marked by a visible scarp. Strongly defensive position. Outer bank also shows as scarp (dprfp).

APH, Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV311987.

Northern half of a circular enclosure about 60m diam with widely spaced faint outer ditch on n side. First recorded from the air as cropmark in 1992 by b. Horner (aph).

Untitled Source (Aerial Photograph). SDV311990.

Aph=dap/vi 34-36(1/7/1992).

Untitled Source (Aerial Photograph). SDV311991.

Aph=dap/vj 1(1/7/1992).

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV311992.

Des=dprfp/(1994) + photos x 5-8.

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV311993.

Des=as above/griffith, f. M. /(16/10/1997).

Untitled Source (Aerial Photograph). SDV311994.

Aph=sww print/(2/10/1997)/in dprfp file.

DCC, 1992, DAP 14401, DAP 14401/35-36 01-JUL-1992 (VI) (Aerial Photograph). SDV354676.

Cropmarks of possible ditches are visible.

Environment Agency, 1998-2017, LiDAR DTM data (1m resolution) EA: South Devon Coast to Dartmoor, LIDAR SX9275 Environment Agency DTM 01-JAN-1998 to 31-MAY-2017 (Cartographic). SDV361470.

An earthwork plateau is visible.

Hegarty, C., Knight, S. and Sims, R., 2018-2019, The South Devon Coast to Dartmoor Aerial Investigation and Mapping Survey. Area 1, Haldon Ridge to Dart Valley (AI&M) (Interpretation). SDV361305.

Evidence of a possible ditched oval enclosure potentially of later prehistoric date has been recorded at the eastern end of an east-facing spur to the east of Teignmouth Golf Club. The spur is an extension of an upper greensand sandstone deposits to the west.
The features previously recorded as an enclosure comprise a level hilltop area approximately 60m across, bounded on the northern edge by an irregular cropmark of a possible ditch up to circa 10m wide.
The impression of an enclosure, including the cropmarks previous interpreted as those of enclosure ditches, are probably geological in origin. Specifically, they are likely to be effects created by the differential erosion, and soil-moisture-deficits, created by an oval plateau or outcrop of upper greensand sandstone surrounded by a band of upper greensand gravel.
The earthworks and cropmarks are therefore probably non-archaeological in origin but further work, such as geophysical survey, is recommended to clarify the character of the features.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV262469	Migrated Record: DPRFP.
SDV311987	Migrated Record: APH.
SDV311990	Aerial Photograph:
SDV311991	Aerial Photograph:
SDV311992	Migrated Record:
SDV311993	Migrated Record:
SDV311994	Aerial Photograph:
SDV354676	Aerial Photograph: DCC. 1992. DAP 14401. Devon Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). DAP 14401/35-36 01-JUL-1992 (VI).
SDV358790	Website: British Geological Survey. BGS 50000 scale digital geology. http://ogc.bgs.ac.uk/cgi-bin/BGS_Bedrock_and_Superficial_Geology/wms?. Website.
SDV361305	Interpretation: Hegarty, C., Knight, S. and Sims, R.. 2018-2019. The South Devon Coast to Dartmoor Aerial Investigation and Mapping Survey. Area 1, Haldon Ridge to Dart Valley (AI&M). Historic England Research Report. Digital.
	Linked documents:1
SDV361470	Cartographic: Environment Agency. 1998-2017. LiDAR DTM data (1m resolution) EA: South Devon Coast to Dartmoor. Environment Agency LiDAR data. Digital. LIDAR SX9275 Environment Agency DTM 01-JAN-1998 to 31-MAY-2017.
SDV8774	Migrated Record: Griffith, F. M..

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV7515 - The South Devon Coast to Dartmoor Aerial Investigation and Mapping (formerly NMP) Survey (Ref: ACD1748)

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