Monument Type(s):

• ENCLOSURE? (Unknown date)
• (Alternate Type) FIELD BOUNDARY? (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1901 AD)

Summary

A series of linear banks were recorded adjacent to the Montgomery Canal, W of Perry's Aqueduct. It is possible that they relate to 19th century field boundarys, although one earthwork appeared to form part of an enclosure cut by the canal.

Related records

Associated Finds: None recorded

Associated Events

• ESA5051 - 1994 evaluation of the Montgomery Canal between the River Perry and Aston Upper Lock by SCCAS
• ESA5050 - 1995-1996 archaeological recording of Phase 2 works along the Montgomery Canal by SCCAS

Description

In the field on the west side of the canal immediately to the south of the River Perry a number of earthworks were apparent adjacent to the canal, centred on SJ35782957. These earthworks consisted of a series of low linear banks; one set of banks appeared to form three sides of an enclosure which had been cut across by the canal; two further banks appeared to run parallel to the northwestern side of this enclosure. At the time of the walk-over survey, however, the field which contained these earthworks was in the process of being deep-ploughed, and where the ploughing ran across them, they showed as bands of light yellowish-brown subsoil against the very dark peaty topsoil. The Tithe Apportionment of 1838 notes that this field was formerly subdivided into a number of smaller plots, although these internal boundaries are not shown on the fieldname map nor on the 1880 Ordnance Survey map. The earthworks may have represented the remains of these former field boundaries, although it is perhaps more likely that they belonged to a much earlier feature. <1>

The phase 2 restoration of the canal was monitored during 1995-1996. The contractors' haul road was laid over the topsoil along the western edge of the field; the site was otherwise not affected by the works. <2>

<01> Hannaford Hugh R, 1994, An archaeological evaluation of the Montgomery Canal between the River Perry and Aston Upper Lock, Site 27 (Field survey report). SSA21046.

<02> Hannaford Hugh R, 1996, Salvage recording during Phase 2 of the Montgomery Canal restoration, P.9 (Archaeological fieldwork report). SSA21045.

Sources

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.