MMO2821 - Post-medieval quarry on Staddon Hill (Monument)

A pit, probably the remains of quarry of post-medieval date, is visible on aerial photographs as an earthwork on the steep southeast facing slopes of Staddon Hill, centred on circa SS 8797 3784. The pit is irregularly shaped but is generally circular and at its widest point measures approximately 40 metres in diameter. Access to the pit may have been gained from gentler upper slopes to the north. Two much smaller pits located to the north east, at circa SS 8800 3788, may represent prospecting activity associated with the quarrying in this area. The excavation appears to cut an earthwork field boundary of possible medieval or post-medieval date. However, it is not marked on the on the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map of 1890 [2] and may therefore have passed out of use by this time. The particular purpose for the excavation of the pit is unclear from the aerial photographs alone. [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]