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Historic England Research Records

Monument Number 440909

Hob Uid: 440909
Location :
Devon
West Devon
Sourton
Grid Ref : SX5459091910
Summary : A Civil War redoubt situated 750 metres south east of East Linnacombe in an elevated position overlooking Dartmoor and the valley of the River Thrushel. The earthwork was possibly erected in 1642 to guard the Cornish side of Okehampton. The monument survives as a double ditched, square-shaped enclosure with a square central platform measuring 13.9 metres across by 0.7 metres high, topped by a slight bank up to 3.6 metres wide and 0.2 metres high. Surrounding the platform is a 2 metre wide and 0.2 metre deep ditch, beyond which is a second bank 1.8 metres wide and 0.2 metres high and a second ditch up to 2.4 metres wide and 0.3 metres deep. Scheduled.
More information : (SX 54589191) Tumulus (NR) (1)

When first discovered in 1951 this feature was erroneously
described as the remains of a large earthen barrow (a)

It comprises a sub-square platform aproximately 20.0m across,
0.7m high with rounded corners and a low bank around the top. It
has two contiguous enclosing ditches, the outer being 0.5m deep
but the inner today has more the appearance of a berm and is
only vaguely traceable. The south-west side has been mutilated
although a slight ramp (slightly off-centre) indicates an
original entrance.

It is situated on high level ground in enclosed moorland with an
extensive field of view to the west, north and east.

It could be of Roman origin as its double ditches and overall
plan closely resemble the inner earthworks of Old Barrow
(SS 74 NE 4) and Martinhoe (SS 64 NE 2). Against this must be noted
the smaller size and slightly offset entrance. Resurveyed at
1:2500. (2)

Information as in Authy.2 and the suggestion of Roman origin
supported. (3)

Scheduled under Castles and Fortifications as an "Earthwork
on Sourton Down". (4)

A rapid examination of air photography (5a) shows this earthwork, which may be a Roman signal station or Civil War sconce.(5)
Sources :
Source Number : 1
Source :
Source details : OS 25" 1962
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Source Number : 2
Source :
Source details : F2 MJF 16-OCT-74
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Source Number : 2a
Source :
Source details : F1 GWR 06-MAR-51
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Source Number : 3
Source :
Source details : Proc Devon Archaeol Soc 34 1976 (C J Balkwill and R J Silvester)
Page(s) : 86-89
Figs. :
Plates :
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Source Number : 4
Source :
Source details : DOE (AM's) List 13.12.77
Page(s) : 54
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Source Number : 5
Source :
Source details : Andrew Miller/12-JAN-1996/RCHME: AP Primary Recording Project
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Source Number : 5a
Source :
Source details : NMR, SX 5491/2-4, 6-8, 10, 12-15, 19, 25
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Source Number : 6
Source :
Source details : Scheduled 24-Apr-2002
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Monument Types:
Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Possibly built 1642
Monument End Date : 1642
Monument Start Date : 1642
Monument Type : Enclosure, Redoubt
Evidence : Earthwork
Monument Period Name : Uncertain
Display Date :
Monument End Date :
Monument Start Date :
Monument Type : Enclosure
Evidence : Earthwork
Components and Objects:
Related Records from other datasets:
External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : DV 944
External Cross Reference Notes :
External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (National No.)
External Cross Reference Number : 34287
External Cross Reference Notes :
External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SX 59 SW 5
External Cross Reference Notes :
Related Warden Records :
Related Activities :
Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1950-01-01
End Date : 1959-12-31
Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1951-03-06
End Date : 1951-03-06
Associated Activities :
Activity type : MEASURED SURVEY
Start Date : 1970-01-01
End Date : 1979-12-31
Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1974-10-16
End Date : 1974-10-16
Associated Activities :
Activity type : MEASURED SURVEY
Start Date : 1986-01-01
End Date : 1986-12-31
Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1986-01-01
End Date : 1986-12-31
Associated Activities :
Activity type : AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH INTERPRETATION
Start Date : 1992-01-01
End Date : 1996-12-31