MMO2455 - Peat Cutting, West of Wellshead Plantation (Monument)
Summary
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Type and Period (1)
Protected Status
- None recorded
Full Description
An area of peat cutting of possible medieval to twentieth century date can be seen as numerous irregularly shaped pits and disturbed ground on aerial photographs of the 1940s onwards, centred on circa SS 82344125, approximately 250 metres to the south of Larkbarrow Corner. The identifiable pits vary in shape and size, but most are less than 5 metres across. It is probable that much larger but shallower pits are also to be found in this area, but due to the difficult nature of the evidence on aerial photographs, the transcription attempts only to convey the area and general character of the excavations, and should be taken only as indicative of the extent of individual pits. The heyday of peat cutting on Exmoor was probably in the first half of the nineteenth century, although small scale cutting probably continued well into the twentieth century. (1-3) A study of the archaeology and history of peat exploitation on Exmoor’s moorlands provides additional background on the practice and sites. [4]
Sources/Archives (4)
- <1> SEM6707 Aerial photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946 -1948. Vertical Aerial Photography. NMR RAF 106G/UK/1501 (F20) 3068-9. 13/05/1946.
- <2> SMO4068 Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. NMR RAF 543/2821 (F64) 162-3. 27/04/1964.
- <3> SMO7567 Archive: 2007-2009. Exmoor National Park NMP: SS 84 SW. MD002184.
- <4> SEM8135 Report: Riley, H.. 2014. Turf Cutting on Exmoor: An archaeological and historical study - project report.
Location
Grid reference | Centred SS 8232 4126 (325m by 150m) (Aerial Survey) |
---|---|
Map sheet | SS84SW |
Civil Parish | EXFORD, 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=1477786 (Pastscape entry: 1477786)
Other Statuses/References
- Pastscape HOBID (was Monarch UID): 1477786
Record last edited
Aug 18 2015 3:03PM
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