MSO12252 - Prehistoric coaxial landscape, Exmoor, West Somerset (Monument)
Summary
No summary available.
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Type and Period (4)
Protected Status
- None recorded
Full Description
Dispersed and fragmentary remains of small fields, enclosures and circular dwellings indicating a later prehistoric planned land allotment and settlement of the Exmoor area similar to that on Dartmoor. Remains share a common dominant orientation roughly WSW-ENE showing a coaxial layout of the land. Main areas are centred on above NGRs. The sites consist mainly of low stony banks, lyncheted where they lie across the slope. Small upright stones also appear to form elements of the land divisions in places. The features form small areas of fields and settlement, with other outlying isolated banks and hut circles, and large areas of the moor contain no features at all. The areas of fields lie on the more sheltered, gently-sloping land, and are associated with often four or five house or hut circles. The indications are that there are a number of small settlements or farmsteads within an overall system, and that the visible remains represent stone clearance of cultivated plots. The coaxial nature of the landscape would have been continued between settlements by fencing or hedging. Isolated features including small enclosures, single banks and hut circles are present on the edge of the higher ground above the settlements, suggesting a division between lower and higher ground. The implications are that a remarkably complete prehistoric landscape is present here. The relatively small areas of cultivated land compared to the large surrounding areas suggests a livestock based economy, with subsistence crops [1] Pollen profiles indicate a farming presence from the Late Bronze Age right through to Romano-British times. [4] For enclosures and hut circles see PRNs 33138, 33139 and 35591. For standing stones see PRNs 35598, 33052, 35313, 35309, 35290 and 33041. There are significant areas of field banks associated with this landscape (PRN 33140). Cairns are as follows; PRNs 33141, 33162, 33042, 33043 and 33160. [5]
Sources/Archives (5)
- <1> SSO1807 Unassigned: Preece A E. 1994.
- <2> SSO1815 Article in serial: Preece, A E. forthcoming. Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeology and Natural History Society.
- <3> SSO1806 Unassigned: Preece A E. 1991.
- <4> SSO1180 Article in serial: Francis, P.D and Slater. 1992. Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeology and Natural History Society.
- <5> SSO1312 Unassigned: Matthew Nicholas, Somerset County Council. 26/8/2003.
Map
No mapped location recorded.
Location
Grid reference | Not recorded |
---|---|
Map sheet | Not recorded |
Civil Parish | CUTCOMBE, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET |
Civil Parish | EXFORD, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET |
Civil Parish | LUCCOMBE, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET |
Civil Parish | PORLOCK, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET |
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (5)
- Parent of: Cairn, East Pinford, Exmoor (Monument) (MSO11002)
- Parent of: Enclosure, East Pinford, Exmoor (Monument) (MSO10999)
- Parent of: Hut circle, East Pinford, Exmoor (Monument) (MSO11000)
- Parent of: Hut circle, East Pinford, Exmoor (Monument) (MSO12396)
- Parent of: Possible prehistoric field boundary at East Pinford (Monument) (MSO12402)
Related Events/Activities (0)
External Links (0)
Other Statuses/References
- Environmentally Sensitive Area
- Site of Special Scientific Interest
- Somerset SMR PRN: 35317
Record last edited
Feb 13 2017 3:20PM
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