MMO2421 - Possible medieval or post-medieval field system above Allcombe Water (Monument)

An extensive field system of possible medieval or post-medieval date, defined by earthwork boundary banks and erosion gullies, is visible as earthworks on aerial photographs of the 1960s. It has been partially levelled by 1973.

Field boundary banks and erosion gullies defining a field system of possible medieval date or post-medieval are visible as earthworks on aerial photographs of the 1960s onwards, centred on circa SS 8304 4113 on the west facing slopes above Allcombe Water. The field system is subdivided by short boundaries that climb the combe sides at roughly at 90 degrees to the river, visible as earthwork banks or gullies probably created by the erosion of former boundary banks. The system is enclosed on the eastern side by a lateral bank which gently ascends south to north from 360 to 370 metre Ordnance Datum. In total, the boundaries enclose over six hectares of the valley side but may be part of a larger system of enclosure, associated a smaller field boundary on the northeast facing slopes to the north of Allcombe Water. The earthworks also enclose a length of track or hollow way which appears to lead towards the smaller enclosure. It is unclear if a further linear earthwork, some 70 metres to the east, is contemporary with the combe side field system or later enclosure. The northern half of the field system has been levelled, probably by modern agricultural activity, by 1973. [1-3] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [4]