MSO10157 - 19th Century prospecting pit on Swap Hill (Monument)

A mineral prospecting trench, SS 8218 4202, was located 800 metres to the south of Larkbarrow Farm, on the eastern slopes of Swap Hill, at 410 metres above Ordnance Datum. The trench, 14 metres long, 11.5 metres wide and 3 metres in depth at its deepest point, has spoil heaps on its northern and southern edges with a further mound of spoil to the east. This feature is most probably related to Frederic Knight's attempts at mineral extraction on Exmoor in the mid 19th Century. [1] The feature was recorded at 1:2500 scale as part of an archaeological survey of the Larkbarrow area. The survey was carried out by the Exeter office of English Heritage at the request of the Exmoor National Park Authority. A client report was produced as part of the survey work and is available from the NMRC, Swindon. [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]