Principal Archaeological Landscape: Codsend and Dunkery (16)

Location Codsend Moor is located on the southern slopes of Dunkery Hill below Dunkery Beacon, the highest point on Exmoor, which is contained within the PAL. It is defined on the north by the ridge on which Dunkery Beacon sits and to the south by the river Quarme. Description of Archaeology Codsend Moor is a semi relict 19th century enclosure landscape which contains within it an area of exceptionally preserved prehistoric and medieval settlement and field systems. Prehistoric enclosures are evident in this area. It is extensive in its scale and has palaeoenvironmental potential in the form of hillside mires in close association with the archaeological remains. The prehistoric field systems appear to be multiphase, making them unique on Exmoor and is especially impressive viewed from Winsford Hill. Principal significance This PAL is significant because of the complexity of the early prehistoric archaeology. The extensive scale of the settlement remains is exceptional on Exmoor. The combination of multiphase prehistoric fields, medieval fields, attempted 18th century enclosure and the 19th century enclosure fields, combined with the excellent preservation of these sites make Codsend moors highly significant. The relative proximity of palaeo-environmental sites to the field archaeology further reinforces this. The vast scale and semi relict nature of the landscape within the PAL is also unusual.