MMO2918 - Medieval or post-medieval field boundaries north of Lower Sherdon (Monument)

A number of field boundaries of probable medieval or early post-medieval date are visible on aerial photographs as low earthworks on moorland north of Lower Sherdon, Exmoor. Centred at approximately SS 7982 3563, a curvilinear bank forms an irregular enclosure measuring 327 metres long by 115 metres wide, which is in turn bisected by a narrow bank running north-south and measuring 80 metres long. The enclosures appear to have been truncated by the post-medieval fields to the south. The corner of a second enclosure is visible 50 metres to the north formed by two banks which meet at a right angle. The minimum dimensions of the enclosure are 150 metres long by 65 metres wide, but it has also been truncated by nearby post-medieval field boundaries. The irregular form of the boundaries suggests a medieval or early post-medieval date, but given the location and poor preservation state of the banks, a prehistoric date cannot be ruled out. The boundaries are not depicted on the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map of 1889, and the area is shown as open moorland, indicating they had been abandoned and possibly removed some time prior to this date. [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]