MMO2954 - Post-medieval prospecting pits on Winstitchin (Monument)

Several small post-medieval pits are visible on aerial photographs as earthworks. They were abandoned prior to 1890. Their east-west alignment and proximity to Wheal Eliza mine suggests they may have been prospecting pits.

Several small pits are visible on aerial photographs as earthworks on Winstitchin, Exmoor. Centred at approximately SS 7889 3800, up to 6 pits are visible, runing east-west. Most are no larger than 5 metres across, although the westernmost pit is more linear, and measures some 25 metres long. The pits likely date to the post-medieval period and are not depicted on the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map of 1890, suggesting they were abandoned prior to this date. Their east-west alignment and proximity to Wheal Eliza mine suggests they may have been prospecting pits associated with copper and iron mining in the 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]