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Summary

Two mortar emplacements possibly re-using the sites of two hut circles. The east structure survives as a 5 metres diameter and 0.5 metres deep flat bottomed circular hollow, whilst the interior of the western one measures 6 metres in diameter by 0.7 metres deep and is surrounded by a 1 metres wide and 0.2 metres high earth and stone bank. Both structures partly cut the Phillips Leat which was abandoned around 1879; appear to have been used by the military during training practice in the area.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1019082: Multi-period remains at Hentor Warren

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: SX56NE315
• National Record of the Historic Environment: 1405454
• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX56NE/55/6
• Old SAM Ref: 24230(P)

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• (Former Type) HUT CIRCLE (Constructed, Bronze Age - 2200 BC to 701 BC)
• GUN EMPLACEMENT (Constructed, XIX to Late 20th Century - 1900 AD to 1975 AD (Between))

Full description

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, 1979, SX56NE97, SX56NE97 (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV148977.

Visited on 14th March 1979. Enclosure with seven hut circles to the east and including other enclosures and huts it may be part of a settlement spread over 5.0 hectares. The seven huts are all of Type 1 and generally in poor condition. All have levelled interiors from 3.0 metres to 7.0 metres in diameter and walling which averages 1.7 metres thick and 0.5 metres high. There are no clearly visible entrances but most have suffered some depredation either by robbing or being added to during field clearance. Seven huts and two enclosures are within or abut a complex field system which, though apparently based upon linear and parallel reaves, has been adapted and re-used in both Medieval and Napoleonic times.

Greeves, T. A. P., 1985, The Archaeology of Dartmoor from the Air, Plate 13 (Monograph). SDV337812.

Gerrard, S., 1990-2002, Monument Protection Programme. Archaeological Item Dataset., 03/05/1995, MPP 140476 (Report - Survey). SDV277946.

(SX 5920 6620 and SX 5918 6618). Two mortar emplacements. The east structure survives as a 5 metres diameter and 0.5 metres deep flat bottomed circular hollow, whilst the interior of the western one measures 6 metres in diameter by 0.7 metres deep and is surrounded by a 1 metre wide and 0.2 metres high earth and stone bank. These structures have previously been described as stone hut circles and are shown on the Ordnance Survey 1:10,000 map as such. The National Trust Upper Plym inventory describes these structures as possibly military but does not give any further interpretative details beyond noting that the English Heritage Central Excavation Unit suggested that it might have been associated with mining. Both structures are partly cut the Phillips Leat which was abandoned around 1879. This structure is very similar in character to a large number visible on Mis Tor and Cox Tor. These have been identified as mortar emplacements in which a mortar was protected from incoming fire. It therefore seems likely that this structure may have served a similar function. At least 3 other similar structures survive within the vicinity of this example and it would therefore appear that this area was used for military training at some date. This is confirmed by the presence of large numbers of barbed wire entanglement stanchions scattered over the hillside. These would have been used to support barbed wire entanglements for training purposes.

Gerrard, S., 1993, Military mortar emplacements on Dartmoor?
Military mortar emplacements on Dartmoor?., 10 (Article in Serial). SDV154601.

Butler, J., 1994, Dartmoor Atlas of Antiquities: Volume Three - The South-West, 123-4, Map 49, figure 49.9 (Monograph). SDV137656.

Hut circles '4' of 5.0 metres diameter and '5' of 7.5 metres diameter to the north-east of Enclosue 'B' at 'Shavercombe Tor enclosures' have been damaged by the leat on their north side.

Thackray, C., 1994, The Upper Plym Valley: the management of an historic landscape, 257/102.941 + 942. (Report - non-specific). SDV143510.

Bluesky International Ltd/Getmapping PLC, 2015-2017, 2015-2017 Aerial Photographs (Aerial Photograph). SDV361462.

Features visible on aerial photograph.

Various, 2018-2020, PALs Condition Recording forms, UPHT-37 (Worksheet). SDV362781.

(24/03/2020) Condition of feature assessed as good. Description from HER accurate. Site is stable.
Reeds noted in leat and along top of emplacement.

Various, 2018-2020, PALs Condition Recording photographs (Photograph). SDV363073.

Photographed during March 2020 visit.

Ordnance Survey, 2021, MasterMap 2021 (Cartographic). SDV364015.

Shown as two hut circles on modern mapping.

Historic England, 2021, National Heritage List for England, 1019082 (National Heritage List for England). SDV364016.

SX 594661. A number of structures associated with military training have been identified in the area around Shavercombe Tor, including trenches and a large number of barbed wire entanglement stanchions. A total of four mortar emplacements survive immediately west of the tor, visible as earth and stone banks surrounding a flat-bottomed circular hollow. Scheduled (09/05/2001).
In the 20th century, a fresh use for this area was found when military training was carried out in the area around Shavercombe Tor. The features relating to this activity include circular structures which probably represent mortar emplacements, trenches and barbed wire entanglement stanchions. A total of four mortar emplacements survive immediately west of Shavercombe Tor. Three of these survive as banks of earth and stone surrounding a flat-bottomed circular hollow measuring between 4.8 metres and 6.6 metres in diameter and 0.5 metres deep. The fourth emplacement survives as a 5 metres diameter and 0.5 metres deep flat-bottomed circular hollow. All of these structures have previously been described as stone hut circles. A military interpretation is supported by the presence of large numbers of barbed wire entanglement stanchions scattered over the hillside. These would have been used to support barbed wire entanglements for training purposes and are included in the scheduling.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV8148 - The Upper Plym Valley: The Management of an Historic Landscape
• EDV8155 - Plym Valley Survey: EH Project (Feb 2001 - Dec 2002)

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