Title: |
The South West Coast Path' Unlocking our coastal heritage' project, South Down Common, Beer, East Devon: Results of archaeological investigations |
Series: |
AC archaeology Ltd
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Downloads: |
acarchae2-113179_1.pdf (21 MB)
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Download
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Licence Type: |
ADS Terms of Use and Access
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DOI |
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Publication Type: |
Report (in Series)
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Abstract: |
A staged programme of archaeological investigations comprising an earthwork survey, aerial photographic transcription, geophysical survey and targeted trench excavation was undertaken on land at South Down Common. A number of features were identified during the earthwork survey and aerial photographic transcription, which are indicative of later prehistoric and/or Romano-British settlement and subsistence. Medieval/post-medieval cultivation remains were also identified across the main survey area and its immediate environs. The later prehistoric/Romano-British features include the remains of a sub-circular hillslope enclosure within the survey area, together with three possible enclosures in the immediate vicinity. The main enclosure appears to be associated with a relict prehistoric field system, which was later superseded by medieval/post medieval cultivation, surviving variously as field boundaries and ridge and furrow. The geophysical survey results were disappointing with very few of the responses appearing to tie in with features recorded during the earlier earthwork survey, the aerial photographic transcription and the subsequent targeted trench excavation.Very few archaeological features were identified during the targeted trench excavation, with the only recorded in situ feature comprising a very shallow, east to west orientated linear ditch , which was identified in the vicinity of the probable entrance of the principal enclosure identified during the earthwork survey. The majority of the finds from the excavation comprise sherds of Roman pottery dating to the 3rd to 4th century AD, which was recovered from an occupation layer within the main enclosure. This layer partially sealed the original earthwork bank of the enclosure. A fragment of copper alloy bracelet was also recovered from the occupation layer together with a quantity of beach pebbles. Evidence for earlier activity is represented by a small Neolithic/early Bronze Age assemblage of worked flint. |
Author: |
T Jmaes
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Publisher: |
AC Archaeology Ltd
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Other Person/Org: |
Historic England (OASIS Reviewer)
Devon Historic Environment Record (OASIS Reviewer)
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Year of Publication: |
2011
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Locations: |
Site: |
South Down Common, Beer |
County: |
Devon |
District: |
East Devon |
Parish: |
BEER |
Country: |
England |
Grid Reference: 322437, 88531 (Easting, Northing)
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Subjects / Periods: |
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Identifiers: |
OASIS Id: |
acarchae2-113179 |
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Source: |
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Created Date: |
01 Feb 2018 |