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HER Number:MDV63838
Name: Flint flakes, Ayres Close, Bideford East the Water

Summary

Two unstratified flint flakes were recovered during the course of an archaeological evaluation at Ayres Close. One was possibly of Neolithic or early Bronze Age date.

Location

Grid Reference:SS 460 263
Map Sheet:SS42NE
Admin AreaDevon
Civil ParishBideford
DistrictTorridge
Ecclesiastical ParishBIDEFORD

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

  • Old DCC SMR Ref: SS42NE/166/1

Monument Type(s) and Dates

  • FINDSPOT (Prehistoric - 698000 BC to 42 AD)

Full description

Stead, P. M. + Gent, T., 1994, Archaeological evaluation at Ayres Close, Torrington Lane, Bideford, Fig. 2 (Report - Evaluation). SDV16678.

An archaeological evaluation comprising three trial trenches was undertaken in July 1994 on land adjoining Ayres Close in advance of a residential development. The turf and topsoil had been stripped from the site area at the time of the evaluation.
Two unstratified flints were recovered during an initial site inspection. Both were a clean, dark grey flint resembling that found in the Beer region of East Devon. The smaller of the two is a secondary flake, with a maximum dimension of 23mm. The larger piece is a sub-rectangular flake, 35mm by 21mm. It has been finely retouched on three edges to create a tool. It would not be incongruous within a Neolithic or Early Bronze Age assemblage.
The recovery of the flints indicates some prehistoric activity in the vicinity, possibly relating to the nearby enclosure.
No archaeological features were located and no finds recovered from the trenches.

Exeter Archaeology, 2001, Archaeological Assessment of a Proposed Housing Development at Eastridge Farm, Bideford East-the-Water, 5, Fig.6 No. 2 (Report - Assessment). SDV12200.

Two unstratified flint flakes were recovered during the course of an archaeological evaluation at Ayres Close. One was possibly of Neolithic or early Bronze Age date.

Wessex Archaeology, 2005, Residential Development at Salterns, Bideford: Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment, 6, 12, Fig. 1 (Report - Assessment). SDV323482.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV12200Report - Assessment: Exeter Archaeology. 2001. Archaeological Assessment of a Proposed Housing Development at Eastridge Farm, Bideford East-the-Water. Exeter Archaeology Report. 01.25. A4 Stapled + Digital. 5, Fig.6 No. 2.
SDV16678Report - Evaluation: Stead, P. M. + Gent, T.. 1994. Archaeological evaluation at Ayres Close, Torrington Lane, Bideford. Exeter Museums Archaeological Field Unit Report. 94.50. Fig. 2. [Mapped feature: #41026 ]
SDV323482Report - Assessment: Wessex Archaeology. 2005. Residential Development at Salterns, Bideford: Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment. Wessex Archaeology Report. 60590.01. A4 Stapled + Digital. 6, 12, Fig. 1.

Associated Monuments

MDV51509Related to: Enclosure, Bideford East-the-Water (Monument)

Associated Finds

  • FDV2345 - FLAKE (Lower Palaeolithic to Unknown - 698000 BC)
  • FDV548 - FLAKE (LANEBA - 2500 BC to 2001 BC)

Associated Events

  • EDV2779 - Residential development at Salterns, Bideford: archaeological desk-based assessment
  • EDV2789 - Archaeological Assessment of a Proposed Housing Development at Eastridge Farm, Bideford East-the-Water
  • EDV9228 - Archaeological Evaluation: Land at Ayres Close, Torrington Lane, Bideford (Ref: 94.50)

Date Last Edited:Oct 3 2025 12:48PM