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HER Number:MDV11501
Name:Iron pits on Dunkeswell common

Summary

Iron pits on dunkeswell common.

Location

Grid Reference:ST 136 060
Map Sheet:ST10NW
Admin AreaDevon
Civil ParishDunkeswell
DistrictEast Devon
Ecclesiastical ParishDUNKESWELL

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

  • Old DCC SMR Ref: ST10NW/26

Monument Type(s) and Dates

  • OPEN CAST MINE (Unknown date)

Full description

Hutchinson, P. O., 1868, On Hill Fortresses, Sling-Stones, and other Antiquities in South Eastern Devon, 382 (Article in Serial). SDV120058.

Visit estimated-/-/1867 iron pits occur in second field of left north of wolford cross. Pits mostly along north side, are close together and of various sizes. Although originally perpendicular they are now fallen in and have sloping sides. Smelting performed elsewhere.


Hutchinson, P. O., 1872, Iron Pits, 49 - 50 (Article in Serial). SDV338417.

A large group of iron pits about half a mile north of wolford lodge. Possibly the dunkeswell pits were worked by the monks of the abbey


Downes, W., 1882, Chert Pits, 317-321 (Article in Serial). SDV338418.

Downe's disagrees with hutchinson's conclusions regarding east devon iron pits, saying there is no real evidence of ironworking. Suggests the pits were dug to quarry chert for building material.


Ordnance Survey, 1891, 58NE, 58ne (Cartographic). SDV96176.

According to os 6" (1891) the second field on the left would be the strip running to the south of the triangular field on which the poultry houses now stand.


Harris, G. T., 1930, Iron Pits in East Devon, 39-40 (Article in Serial). SDV338415.

Harris in agreement with Downes.


Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, 1975 - 1980, ST10NW7 (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV342119.

Visit 23/10/1975 field principally occupied by farm buildings. Shows no surface evidence of mineral extraction.


Exeter Museums Archaeological Field Unit, 1992 - 1993, Blackdown Hills Survey Archive (Archive - Survey). SDV324187.

Vis=30/9/1992 (simpson and noble) no earthworks visible from gateway. According to os 6" (1891) the second field on the left would be the strip running to the south of the triangular field on which the poultry houses now stand. There appear to be no buildings in this area now.


Walls, S., 2004, Enclosure Awards, an Ignored Landscape; a Case Study of the Blackdown Hills, 11 - 12 (Report - Survey). SDV342100.

Iron workings ignore field boundaries and roads and are pre-enclosure.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV120058Article in Serial: Hutchinson, P. O.. 1868. On Hill Fortresses, Sling-Stones, and other Antiquities in South Eastern Devon. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. 2 part 2. A5 Hardback. 382.
SDV324187Archive - Survey: Exeter Museums Archaeological Field Unit. 1992 - 1993. Blackdown Hills Survey Archive. Blackdown Hills Survey Archive. A4 Unbound.
SDV338415Article in Serial: Harris, G. T.. 1930. Iron Pits in East Devon. Devon and Cornwall Notes and Queries. 16. Unknown. 39-40.
SDV338417Article in Serial: Hutchinson, P. O.. 1872. Iron Pits. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. 5. Unknown. 49 - 50.
SDV338418Article in Serial: Downes, W.. 1882. Chert Pits. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. 14. Unknown. 317-321.
SDV342100Report - Survey: Walls, S.. 2004. Enclosure Awards, an Ignored Landscape; a Case Study of the Blackdown Hills. Exeter University Community Landscapes Project Report. A4 Stapled + Digital. 11 - 12.
SDV342119Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card: Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division. 1975 - 1980. ST10NW7. Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card. Card Index.
SDV96176Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 1891. 58NE. Ordnance Survey 6 inch map. Map (Paper). 58ne.

Associated Monuments

MDV110229Part of: Open cast ironstone mines, from Black Down and North Hill, eastwards to Hill View Farm (Monument)

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded


Date Last Edited:Jan 3 2017 1:19PM