MMO2199 - Medieval platforms south of Cheriton Ridge (Monument)
Summary
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Type and Period (1)
Protected Status
- None recorded
Full Description
Several small pits and mounds are visible on aerial photographs (1) on an area of moorland south of Cheriton Ridge, Lynton and Lynmouth. Centred at approximately SS 7470 4385, at least four pits are visible, most of which are rectangular or sub-rectangular. Two of the pits have small mounds immediately next to them. The pits are not particularly deep and are most likely to be the remains of peat cutting in the area, with the associated mounds representing peat stands. Peat cutting is known to have continued on Exmoor until fairly recently, and these workings were probably abandoned in the late 19th or 20th century. (1-3) The site was reinterpreted during field survey in 2013. Four rectangular or sub-rectangular platforms lie above the track to the ford below Hoaroak Cottage on the west side of Cheriton Ridge. A platform at SS 74728 43898 is 8.2 metres long by 4.6 metres wide and is terraced into the hillside 1.2 metres (HOL 7); a second at SS 74726 43884 is 7.6 metres long and 4.3 metres wide and is terraced into the slope by up to 1 metre (HOL 8); a third at SS 74713 43889 is 7.5 metres long, 3.5 metres wide and terraced into the hillside by 1 metre (HOL 9); a fourth at SS 74704 43873 is 7.5 metres long, 5 metres wide and terraced into the slope by 0.8 metres (HOL 10). These are the remains of a small medieval settlement of perhaps two farmsteads, with associated field system to the north and south (MDE12856; MDE20820). There are no known documentary references to a settlement here and a date c. 1200-1400 AD is suggested by similar sites on Exmoor such as Ley Hill. [4]
Sources/Archives (4)
- <1> SMO4068 Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. RAF 540/931 4124-25. 08/11/1952.
- <2> SEM7440 Monograph: Riley, H. and Wilson-North, R.. 2001. The Field Archaeology of Exmoor. English Heritage. P. 47,143.
- <3> SMO7565 Archive: 2007-2009. Exmoor National Park NMP: SS 74 SW. MD002182.
- <4> SEM8028 Report: Riley, H.. 2013. Hoaroak Valley: Historic landscape survey and analysis. 32.
Location
Grid reference | Centred SS 7469 4385 (66m by 35m) (Aerial Survey) |
---|---|
Map sheet | SS74SW |
Civil Parish | LYNTON AND LYNMOUTH, NORTH DEVON, DEVON |
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (1)
External Links (1)
- http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=1471038 (Pastscape entry: 1471038)
Other Statuses/References
- Pastscape HOBID (was Monarch UID): 1471038
Record last edited
Dec 4 2013 5:14PM
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