MMO2150 - (Monument)
Summary
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Type and Period (2)
Protected Status
- None recorded
Full Description
An area of regular post medieval drainage ditches is visible on aerial photographs on moorland to the south-west of The Chains Barrow,Exmoor. The ditches were most likely cut as part of the Knight family's attempt at improvement, probably around the time Frederic Winn Knight took over the running of the estate in 1841. Centred at approximately SS 7313 4173, the ditches run north-west to south-east across a south-west facing slope above an un-named tributary of the River Barle. It appears that the ditches were designed to channel water into this tributary. The ditches are all cut in straight parallel lines, and cover an area of approximately 5 hectares. The whole area around The Chains is particularly boggy and peat covered, and it seems likely that the ditches were cut to drain the area prior to it being enclosed. According to Orwin, many miles of drainage ditches were cut across parts of Exmoor, but in some areas failed to provide adequate drainage for the land to be enclosed (2). Large areas of Exmoor were successfully drained, although it appears that this area, which is still open and boggy moorland was not one of them. Other similar ditches are visible in the surrounding areas, some draining into natural streams and water courses, others appearing to drain into Pinkery Canal. Many of the ditches are associated with areas of peat cutting (1-3).
Sources/Archives (4)
- --- SMO4068 Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. RAF CPE/UK/1980 3148-49 11-APR-1947.
- --- SMO5110 Externally held archive reference: Externally held archive. Orwin, C.S 1929 "The Reclamation of Exmoor Forest" Oxford University Press, London page(s) 32-33.
- --- SMO5110 Externally held archive reference: Externally held archive. Riley, H and Wilson-North, R "The Field Archaeology of Exmoor" English Heritage, Swindon page(s) 138.
- --- SMO7565 Archive: 2007-2009. Exmoor National Park NMP: SS 74 SW. MD002182.
Location
Grid reference | Centred SS 7317 4173 (357m by 203m) (Aerial Survey) |
---|---|
Map sheet | SS74SW |
Civil Parish | EXMOOR, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET |
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (0)
External Links (1)
- http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=1470502 (Pastscape entry: 1470502)
Other Statuses/References
- Pastscape HOBID (was Monarch UID): 1470502
Record last edited
Mar 21 2018 1:33PM
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