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Summary

A double or possibly triple-ditched rectilinear of probable prehistoric or Romano-British date is visible as dark cropmarks on CUCAP aerial photographs and Google Earth images of 2020, on the south-east facing slopes to the east of Culm Cross, Sampford Coutenay, North Tawton parish.

Location

Protected Status

• SHINE

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SS60SW/48
• SHINE Candidate (Yes)

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• RECTILINEAR ENCLOSURE (Early Iron Age to Roman - 700 BC? (Between) to 409 AD? (Between))

Full description

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV225614.

Nothing visible on raf april 1947 ap.

Untitled Source (Aerial Photograph). SDV225615.

Aph=cuc/btr 25-28(3/7/1975)/btr 28 in smr.

Cambridge University Collection, Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV267610.

Square double-ditched enclosure recorded on cuc air photograph. Three sides visible: apparent entrance in south side. Inner enclosure c.40m along side, outer c.55m, very approximately. Date unknown (griffith). The field also shows traces of a now obliterated field system (cuc).

Chris Blandford Associates, 1998, Preliminary Environmental Assessment Report. Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, 12 (Report - Assessment). SDV361743.

The enclosure is close to the proposed route of a powerline. Further research is recommended before construction is permitted.

Archaeological Services Durham University, 2010, Land at North Tawton, Devon: Archaeological Desk Based Assessment. (Report - Assessment). SDV360486.

A square ditched enclosure and possible related field system is present at the western end of the proposed development area, and two further square-ditched enclosures are immediately outside the southwest boundary and have the potential to extend into it. These may be a significant archaeological resource from the later prehistoric period. It is recommended that geophysical survey is carried out to determine the nature and extent of any sub-surface features present on the site. Depending on the results of the survey, supplementary evaluation trenching may subsequently be required.

Smart, C., 2023, Aerial Photograph Interpretation (Personal Comment). SDV366138.

Cropmarks are visible on Google Earth images.

Google, 2023, Google Earth Pro, XX-MAY-2020 (Aerial Photograph). SDV365802.

A double or triple ditched rectilinear enclosure is visible as a cropmark.

Hegarty, C., 2024, Comment on Unlocking Landscapes project lidar interpretation and associated aerial photograph interpretations (Personal Comment). SDV366085.

A ditched rectilinear enclosure of probable prehistoric or Romano-British date is visible as dark cropmarks on aerial photographs of 2020, on the gentle south-east facing slopes to the east of Culm Cross, North Tawton. The cropmarks measure roughly 1.5m to 2m wide and define an inner enclosure with a visible extent of approximately 20 by 12m. Two further ditches define outer circuits up to 9m wide. No entrance can be clearly identified but the cropmarks are intermittent and the ditches are likely to continue west under the adjacent hedgerow and road.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV7435 - Archaeological Desk Based Assessment: Land at North Tawton, Devon. (Ref: 2517)

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