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Summary

Spoil heap at west end of Gawton Quay, on the west side of King's Shaft, shown on late 19th century maps.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1002667: Gawton arsenic mine and flue

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• SPOIL HEAP (XIX - 1801 AD to 1900 AD)

Full description

Ordnance Survey, 1880-1899, First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch map (Cartographic). SDV336179.

Spoil heap with tramway shown at west end of Gawton Quay.

Ordnance Survey, 1904 - 1906, Second Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map (Cartographic). SDV325644.

Timms, S., 1985, An Archaeological Assessment of the Remains of the Quay, Mine and Arsenic Works at Gawton, Tavistock Hamlets, 5.4, appendix (Report - Assessment). SDV352213.

5.4 - Dump noted on sources dated 1895 ('dump'), 1906, 1953, 1984.

Buck, C., 2006, Gawton Mine, Devon: Archaeological Assessment, 60 (Report - Assessment). SDV344672.

The 1884 and late maps show that a spoil heap at this location, and it is now approximately 2 metres high above ground level. This would be the mine waste dump formed after the ore had been processed for its primary dressing. A tramline is shown leading from a mine dressing floor building going onto the waste tip. The tip consists of mainly waste rock and some boiler house slag. Other details: Figure 36, site 66.

Clive Meaton, 2023, Gawton Mine, Devon- Costed and Prioritised Proposals for Capital Works for the Conservation and Management of Gawton Mine Scheduled Monument (Redacted Costs Version), 166-167, Photograph 95 and 96 (Report - Survey). SDV366131.

Maps dating from 1884 onwards illustrate a spoil heap at this location, which would have comprised waste derived after the ore had been processed for its primary dressing. A tramline is also illustrated leading from the Dressing Floor Building (Site No. 65) onto this waste tip. In 2006 the Mine Waste Dump was found to mainly consist of waste rock and some boiler house slag. The height of the mound was approximately 2 metres above ground level but appeared to have been reduced from a site photograph dating from 1911. There were no recommendations for this site.
The Mine Waste Dump was found as described in 2006, with no obvious changes to its form, character or dimensions. The area was assessed to be in good condition. The Mine Waste Dump was assessed to contain low levels of historic and evidential value, and as such, is considered to be of low significance, relative to other features and structures within the Site. The site should be left undisturbed, and no intrusive works allowed. Self-seeded woodland should be managed.
Other details: Site No. 66.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV4746 - Archaeological Assessment of Gawton Mine, Devon
• EDV4747 - Field Survey of Gawton Mine
• EDV9132 - Gawton Mine, Devon- Costed and Prioritised Proposals for Capital Works for the Conservation and Management of Gawton Mine Scheduled Monument

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