Principal Archaeological Landscape: Little Hangman (37)

Location The PAL lies on a cliff top at the far western end of Exmoor National Park, a kilometre to the north east of Combe Martin. Description of Archaeology The PAL comprises a conical hill, around which are the earthworks of a prehistoric enclosure. These are confused by prominent geological terracing and detailed fieldwork is needed to understand the archaeology of the site, which was first recorded by the National Mapping Project in 2008. It has been suggested that the site is Neolithic and analogous with the tor enclosures on Dartmoor and in Cornwall. Principal significance The significance of the PAL partly depends on its classification as a hill top enclosure (further research is needed to fully confirm this). Hilltop enclosures in such prominent locations are unusual on Exmoor and are clearly not intended for settlement. As such it may shed light on the nature of early prehistoric activity on Exmoor. A very similar site lies on the summit of Hollerday Hill, west of Lynton.