See important guidance on the use of this record.

If you have any comments or new information about this record, please email us.

Summary

Earthwork banks representing probable post-medieval to modern cultivation banks are visible on aerial photographs of 1946 onwards, within Woodbury Common.

Location

Protected Status

• SHINE: Earthworks of ridge and furrow cultivation of post medieval date or later, earthworks and trenches of World War II activity on Woodbury Common and four prehistoric barrows or 18th/19th century landscaping features at Four Firs

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SY08NW/118
• SHINE Candidate (Yes)

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• RIDGE AND FURROW (Post Medieval to Modern - 1540 AD to 2013 AD (Between))

Full description

Quinell, N. V., 10/10/1995, Woodbury Common (Worksheet). SDV105415.

6. Traces of narrow-rig ridge and furrow running north-west/south-east. Rig not more than 1.3 metres across. Bounded on north-west by relatively strong north/south bank across the common.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1412, RAF/106G/UK/1412 3172-73 13-APR-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV352504.

The earthworks are visible as a series of linear earthwork banks.

Ordnance Survey, 1996, OS/96568, OS/96568 040-41 08-MAY-1996 (Aerial Photograph). SDV356242.

The earthworks are visible as a series of linear earthwork banks. Map object based on this source.

Exeter Archaeology, 2003, East Devon Heathlands Archaeological Survey, 9, Part 1; 61, Part 2: Gazetteer, Site No. 223 (Report - Survey). SDV101648.

SMR describes traces of narrow-rig ridge and furrow aligned northwest-southeast, bounded to northwest by relatively strong north-south bank which runs across the common. Ridges not more than 1.3 metres across. No features located in this area, which is under dense gorse. However, small ridges on same alignment, possibly part of same field system, seen 150 metres to east (see site 18).

Exeter Archaeology, 2003, East Devon Heathlands Archaeological Survey, Site No. 223 (Archive - Survey). SDV358490.

Exeter Archaeology, 2003, East Devon Heathlands Archaeological Survey, Site No. 223 (Report - Survey). SDV359019.

Exeter Archaeology, 2003-2004, East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Archaeological Survey, Site No. 2674 (Archive - Survey). SDV351568.

See description in East Devon Heathlands Archaeological Survey 9, Part 1; 61, Part 2: Gazetteer, Site No. 223 - SDV101648.

Next Perspectives, 2010, Aerial Photography for Great Britain, Next Perspectives PGA Imagery SY0386 22-MAY-2010 (Aerial Photograph). SDV356259.

The earthworks are visible as a series of linear earthwork banks. Map object based on this source.

Hegarty, C. + Knight, S. + Sims, R., 2014-2015, East and Mid Devon River Catchments National Mapping Programme Project (Interpretation). SDV356883.

Earthwork banks representing probable post-medieval to modern cultivation banks are visible on aerial photographs of 1946 onwards, within Woodbury Common. The earthworks occupy an area of approximately 37 hectares of gentle southeast sloping common land and are visible as a series of linear and slightly sinuous earthwork banks, up to 2 metres in width. These are typically northwest to southeast aligned, but with some also north to south and northeast to southwest aligned. The earthworks are likely to have been much more extensive than has been recorded here as part of this survey owing to both the slight nature of the earthworks and a seasonal coverage of vegetation which masks the earthworks. The regularity of the agricultural banks strongly suggest they are the result of more recent post-medieval to modern cultivation, rather than being of medieval date. The earthworks are visible on digital images derived from aerial photographs taken in 2010.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV101648	Report - Survey: Exeter Archaeology. 2003. East Devon Heathlands Archaeological Survey. Exeter Archaeology Report. 03.26. A4 Unbound + Digital. 9, Part 1; 61, Part 2: Gazetteer, Site No. 223.
SDV105415	Worksheet: Quinell, N. V.. 10/10/1995. Woodbury Common. Devon County Sites and Monuments Register. Worksheet + Digital.
SDV351568	Archive - Survey: Exeter Archaeology. 2003-2004. East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Archaeological Survey. East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Archaeological Survey. Digital + Mixed Archive Material. Site No. 2674.
SDV352504	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/106G/UK/1412. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). RAF/106G/UK/1412 3172-73 13-APR-1946.
SDV356242	Aerial Photograph: Ordnance Survey. 1996. OS/96568. Ordnance Survey. Photograph (Paper). OS/96568 040-41 08-MAY-1996.
SDV356259	Aerial Photograph: Next Perspectives. 2010. Aerial Photography for Great Britain. Aerial Photography for Great Britain Aerial Photographs. Digital. Next Perspectives PGA Imagery SY0386 22-MAY-2010.
SDV356883	Interpretation: Hegarty, C. + Knight, S. + Sims, R.. 2014-2015. East and Mid Devon River Catchments National Mapping Programme Project. AC Archaeology Report. Digital.
	Linked documents:1
SDV358490	Archive - Survey: Exeter Archaeology. 2003. East Devon Heathlands Archaeological Survey. East Devon Heathlands Archaeological Survey. Mixed Archive Material. Site No. 223.
SDV359019	Report - Survey: Exeter Archaeology. 2003. East Devon Heathlands Archaeological Survey. Exeter Archaeology Report. 03.26. Site No. 223.

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV6530 - The East and Mid-Devon Rivers Catchment NMP project (Ref: ACD613)

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