MMO2870 - Possible Bronze Age hut circles north of Cutthorne (Monument)

Five circular features are visible on aerial photographs of the 1940s as cropmarks and earthworks to the northeast of Cutthorne. Four of the features can be seen as cropmarks centred on circa SS 8933 3902, in a field circa 200 metres to the northeast of Cutthorne. The cropmarks indicate possible ditch defined circular features up to 17 metres in diameter. Two appear to be conjoined, with the eastern of the two possibly showing evidence of an entrance on its southeastern face. The fifth feature is visible as a possible low earthwork circa 120 metres to the northeast again, at circa SS 8950 3910, and is approximately 10 metres in diameter. These features are visible only on aerial photographs of April 1947, and are tentatively interpreted as the remains of hut circles of possible Bronze Age date. Collectively, these may be evidence of a previously unrecorded unenclosed settlement of prehistoric date. It must be acknowledged, however, that the possible cropmarks could be artefacts of agricultural origin, possibly differential crop growth due to uneven fertilizer distribution. [1,2] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [3]