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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 14.7m long, 4.9m wide and 1.0m high. This mound lies on level ground outside and adjacent to the tinners cliff marking the edge of the left bank streamworking on Drizzlecombe. It is enclosed by a ditch which has been at least partially recut so that it varies in size from 0.7m wide and 0.3m deep to 1.8m wide and 0.5m deep. An adapted tinners gulley forms a drainage ditch on its south-eastern side.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1021055: Eylesbarrow Tin Mine and associated remains

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX56NE/654
• 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 157285 (Report - Survey). SDV277946.

Site visited on 9th may 2002. Pillow mound 700 metres south of Eylesbarrow. Mound 14.7 metre by 4.9 metres by 1 metre highwith a ditch 1.8 metres wide by 0.5 metres deep.

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 59896789. 14.7m long, 4.9m wide and 1.0m high. This mound lies on level ground outside and adjacent to the tinners cliff marking the edge of the left bank streamworking on Drizzlecombe. It is enclosed by a ditch which has been at least partially recut so that it varies in size from 0.7m wide and 0.3m deep to 1.8m wide and 0.5m deep. An adapted tinners gulley forms a drainage ditch on its south-eastern side.

Newman, P., 1999, Eylesbarrow (Ailsborough) Tin Mine, Figure 2 (Report - Survey). SDV352201.

This feature is not shown on the plan of Eylesbarrow Tin Mine.

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

Feature shown on survey.

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

Oblong mound 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 mound is 14.7 metres long by 4.9 metres wide and 1.0 metre high. This mound lies on level ground outside and adjacent to the tinners cliff marking the edge of the left bank streamworking on Drizzlecombe. It is enclosed by a ditch which has been at least partially recut so that it varies in size from 0.7 metres wide and 0.3 metres deep to 1.8 metres wide and 0.5 metres deep. An adapted tinners gulley forms a drainage ditch on its south-east side.

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

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