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Summary

One of four well-preserved pillow mounds at Eylesbarrow Mine. All are of similar construction comprising stoney bases with turf infill and an earthen upper layer. They have flat tops and squarish ends. Mound measures 12.5m long, 4.8m wide and 1.2m high. It lies across the contours with drainage ditches 2.0m wide and 0.4m deep on both sides and the upslope end. This mound was built within a disused tinners reservoir.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1021055: Eylesbarrow Tin Mine and associated remains

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX56NE/359/1
• Old SAM Ref: 34467

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• PILLOW MOUND (Post Medieval to XIX - 1540 AD to 1900 AD (Between))

Full description

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, 1979, SX56NE146 (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV232425.

(04/04/1979) No pillow mounds were identified in the area quoted where there are numerous mounds of mining waste.

Gerrard, S., 1990-2002, Monument Protection Programme. Archaeological Item Dataset., MPP 157224 (Report - Survey). SDV277946.

Site visited on 9th May 2002. Pillow mound 520 metres south of Eylesbarrow is 13.8 metres long by 5.6 metres wide and 0.9 metres high. Ditch 2 metres wide by 0.4 metres deep. This pillow mound lies within a reservoir. The reservoir is probably earlier in date than the mound. Grass, rushes and heather.

Fletcher, M. + Newman, P. + Probert, S., 1999, Drizzlecombe, Eylesbarrow, Ditsworthy and Hartor areas in the Plym Valley, West Devon (Report - Survey). SDV346268.

(02/07/1999) Centred SX 59786808. Four well-preserved pillow mounds lie in a dispersed cluster around the main buildings of Eylesbarrow Mine.All are of similar construction comprising stoney bases with turf infill and an earthen upper layer. They have flat tops and squarish ends.
SX 59966807. 12.5m long, 4.8m wide and 1.2m high. It lies across the contours with drainage ditches 2.0m wide and 0.4m deep on both sides and the upslope end. This mound was built within a disused tinners reservoir.

Newman, P., 1999, Eylesbarrow (Ailsborough) Tin Mine (Report - Survey). SDV352201.

Pillow mound shown as a small oval feature on plan of Eylesbarrow Tin Mine.

Newman, P., 1999, Eylesbarrow (Ailsborough) Tin Mine, Figure 2 (Article in Serial). SDV231130.

English Heritage, 2005, Survey Information (miscellaneous date) (Report - Survey). SDV345855.

Pillow mound shown on survey.

GeoInformation Group Ltd, 2010, 1:625 2010 Colour (12.5cm resolution) (Aerial Photograph). SDV346026.

Oval feature visible on aerial photograph.

English Heritage, 2013, Eylesbarrow Tin Mine and associated remains (Schedule Document). SDV231131.

The 19th century Eylesbarrow Tin Mine opened in 1814 and continued until 1852. During this time several companies were formed to run the mine and most failed to make a profit. Eylesbarrow's importance stems from its unrivalled array of 19th century mining remains making it the largest and most informative example of a large scale water powered tin mine in Britain. At least 27 shafts and five adits were cut to reach the tin lodes, seven whim platforms and two water powered engine wheels were built to power the lifting and pumping machinery, a series of tramways were made to carry the ore to six separate stamping mills and, to complete the picture, a smelting house was constructed to smelt the processed tin from the stamping mills. The size of the operation is further emphasised by the large number of ancillary buildings constructed to serve the mine. Amongst these are a count house, dormitory accommodation, blacksmith's shop, powder houses, sample house and various storage buildings.

National Monument Record, 2014, Pastscape, 438908 (Website). SDV355682.

Five well-preserved pillow mounds lie in a dispersed group around the main buildings of Eylesbarrow Mine. All are of similar construction comprising stoney bases with turf infill and an earthen upper layer. They have flat tops and squarish ends. This pillow mound is 12.5 metres long by 4.8 metres wide and 1.2 metres high. It lies across the contours with drainage ditches 2.0 metres wide and 0.4 metres deep on both sides and the upslope end. This mound was built within a disused tinners reservoir.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV4966 - Survey of Drizzlecombe, Eylesbarrow, Ditsworthy and Hartor. The Eylesbarrow archaeological landscape
• EDV6239 - Eylesbarrow (Ailsborough) Tin Mine
• EDV8155 - Plym Valley Survey: EH Project (Feb 2001 - Dec 2002)

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