MMO2322 - Post-medieval quarry south of Little Ashcombe (Monument)

A post-medieval quarry or pit is visible on aerial photographs as an earthwork in fields south of Little Ashcombe, Exmoor. Centred at approximately SS 7825 4021, the pit runs approximately east to west for 80 metres, measuring up to 50 metres wide. In form it is very similar to the gravel pit visible to the west near Prayway Head (see MMO23207) and may be another gravel pit. It is depicted, but not annotated on the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map of 1889, suggesting it was abandoned prior to this date. In addition, at the western end, the pit is overlain by a post-medieval field boundary constructed by the Knight family in the mid 19th Century, indicating it predates the agricultural improvements in this area. [1-3] 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]