MSO7954 - Post-medieval peat cutting on Porlock Common (Monument)

A sub circular mound lies on Porlock Common to the west of the course of the Porlock Railway (MSO7906) at SS 84312 46076. The mound measures 3 metres north to south, 4 metres east to west and is 0.75 metres high. It lies in an area of peat cutting and general disturbance and is a product of this activity. The mound was surveyed using GPS as part of the RCHME East Exmoor Project. [1] A large area of disturbed ground is visible on aerial photographs, consisting of several irregular cuts and mounds. The large sub circular mound mentioned above is in the centre of this area (represented by point data in addition to the wider polygon denoting the area of visible peat cutting activity). It appears to be the remains of post-medieval peat cutting activity. Similar activity can be seen elswehere on Porlock Common. [2, 3] A study of the archaeology and history of peat exploitation on Exmoor’s moorlands provides additional background on the practice and sites. [4] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [5]