MSO6982 - 19th Century prospecting pit overlooking Hoaroak Water (Monument)

Small circular mound with enclosing ditch and a small mined depression in an area of lighter vegetation. [1] SS 7494 4282. Situated in rough grassland at the top of steep slopes, about 415 metres above Ordnance Datum, overlooking the Hoaroak Water is an excavated hollow (about 4 metres in diameter and 1 metre deep) with a spoil heap forming a turf covered earth and stone mound (about 6 metres in diameter and 1.3 metres high) on its north side. Its purpose is not clear but it appears to be relatively modern. There are exploratory mineral trials and small quarried areas nearby at SS7433 4303 (MSO7125) worked in the period 1857-58 and this may be a contemporary trial pit. Surveyed at 1:2500. [2] This site is mentioned in the 2013 report by Hazel Riley, a field survey and synthesis of previous projects in the Hoaroak Valley, funded by the Exmoor Moorland Landscape Partnership Scheme. This was interpreted as a trial pit. [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]