MEM22571 - Post-medieval prospecting on Halscombe (Monument)

The Historic Environment Officer for the Exmoor Mires Project undertook a non-intrustive walkover survey of the proposed mire restoration area on Deer Park, which included this site. Noted was a tributary stream to Halscombe Water, the sides of which have been deepened by a series of scarps along its course, probably as part of prospecting activity associated with MEM22547. A spoil bank 25 metres long, 4 metres wide and 0.4 metres high lies on the northwest side. [1] A large scale metric survey of an area of earthworks on Halscombe was undertaken by Hazel Riley in 2013 as part of the Exmoor Mires Project; a tributary to Halscombe Water was noted. The sides of the channel have been deepened by a series of scarps along its course, below nearby prospecting trenches (MEM22570) and drains (MEM22580). A bank of spoil 25 metres long, 4 metres wide and 0.4 metres high lies on the northwest side. This is associated with the ironstone prospecting and drainage in the area. [2]