NORTH ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

ISSUE 8 AUTUMN 2004 Designed and produced by Aiken Graphics Tel:01598 763316 NDAS Committee Useful contacts Contents 2004-5

Representing Members: June Aiken ( Group) 01598 763316 Editorial - Advancing the good work! Rosemary Akers, Derry Bryant, Terry Green, Jane Sally Cotton ( and District Local Green, David Grenfell, Colin Humphreys, Jonathan History Society) 01769 572378 Summer 2004 - Excavations at Holworthy Farm Lomas, Ann Mandry, Alistair Miller, Chris Preece, Janet Daynes (ACE Archaeology, Winkleigh and Maureen Wood. District) 01837 83925 The Site Supervisor’s Tale Jane Green (NDAS Treasurer and Membership Representing Associated Groups: Secretary) 01271 866662 The NDAS Local history Day June.Aiken (Parracombe History and Archaeology Terry Green (NDAS Newsletter) 01271 866662 Society), Sally.Cotton (South Molton Archives), Collette Hall (NDDC Conservation Officer) 01271 Investigations at Hatherleigh - an Update Harry.Cramp (Torrington History Society), 346436 Janet.Daynes (ACE Archaeology, Winkleigh), Sean Hawken (Community Landscapes Project) Field-walk and Test-pitting at High Bray Trevor.Dunkerley ( Local History 01392 263851 Society, CMSRPS), Jim.Knights ( History Jim Knights (Brayford and Charles Group) Excavations at Harris’s Shaft, Combe Martin Society), Deborah Laing-Trengove (Hatherleigh 01598 710014 Archaeological Group). Deborah Laing-Trengove (Hatherleigh History ACE at Teigncombe Group) 01837 810310 Representing Interested Bodies: Alistair Miller (NDAS Secretary) 01598 740359 Digging at Blacklake Wood Malcolm Prowse ( District Council), Alison Mills (Museums Service) 01271 346747 Arthur Windsor ( Town Council), Jenny Yendall (Tiverton Archaeological Group) A Short Bleep! on Metal Detecting Alison.Mills (Museum of Barnstaple and North 01884 255397 Devon), Sue.Scrutton (Torrington Museum) Lyn Walmesley (Teign Archaeology Group and Tiverton Archaeological Group - Autumn Secretary CBA South-West) 01392 432184 Report Chairman: Trevor Dunkerley (Combe Martin Silver Mines Terry Green Research and Preservation Society) 01271 The NDAS Resistivity Meter Vice-Chairman: 883833 Ann Mandry Rob Wilson-North (Exmoor National Park Winkleigh House Scouts Meetings and Correspondence Secretary: Authority Archaeologist) 01398 323665 Alistair Miller News from the North Devon record office Treasurer and Membership Secretary: Other Archaeological Bodies: Jane Green Devon County Sites and Monuments Register: The North Devon Area of Outstanding 01392 382246 Natural Beauty Portable Antiquities Scheme: Nicola Powell (RAM Museum Exeter): 01392 665983 Books Council for British Archaeology (York): 01904 671417 Dates for Your Diary National Sites and Monuments Record (Swindon): 01793 414600

2 3 Advancing the good work! Summer 2004 Excavations at Holworthy Farm Editorial Terry Green

First an apology for the late appearance of this county to reveal its nature and it’s been a bit of newsletter. One reason is legitimate; the other a surprise. These things are usually supposed to is just excuses! You don’t want to hear excuses, be late prehistoric (Iron Age) in origin, but so here’s the perfectly good reason. It seemed Holworthy appears to be much earlier and sensible to wait until we could report on the (barring any surprises when we get a Carbon 14 Local History Day that NDAS organised at South date) is stretching the chronology and is Molton on 23rd October, which is what we did, currently the only proven Bronze Age settlement but then other things intervened and … on Exmoor. Anyway, here it is at last. Mention of C14 dates prompts me to point The History Day was a great success and out that excavation and particularly post- achieved its objective, namely a gathering excavation costs money. While we have been A happy line of trowellers together of people in northern Devon who have fortunate in raising grants to help out, in the local history on their minds. It was about end we have to rely on our own resources, ie. On 19th July 2004, 20 volunteers including survey. This meant open-area excavation as well sharing and networking, and, as somebody said the membership subscriptions. Hence we are members of NDAS and of TAG as well as four as trenches, and consequently the Society was around lunch-time on the day, it’s actually currently having a membership drive with a new students from Exeter University gathered together into its first full-scale excavation on a potentially happening! Now of course, the thing is not just publicity leaflet being placed in libraries, at Holworthy Farm, Parracombe to begin the very important site. Fortunately we were also to leave it there. The central register of groups museums, tourist information centres and even season’s excavation on the Holworthy hillslope blessed with a goodly quantity of enthusiastic and their interests which was proposed at the in estate agents’ offices. You will have received enclosure. The weather was benign, tented volunteers (some 30 in all) from NDAS and from end of the day should be a starting point an example with this newsletter which we accommodation had been provided by RMB TAG and from the general public. They all deserve encouraging people to share information and should like you to place under the nose of Chivenor, portaloos had arrived, the proposed our heartfelt thanks for their hard work. In this get together productively. An initial product of someone who might be persuaded to join. If trenches had been mechanically deturfed and regard, our thanks go again to Phil and Julie this might be a public exhibition, which might your local library or museum does not appear to sheep and cattle were kept at bay by a very Rawle of Holworthy Farm for permission to dig be followed, - who knows? – by further have any, please let us know and we shall effective electric fence. This year we were and to Fred, Sue and Robbie Rawle for permission exercises in making knowledge widely resupply them (or you can collect some yourself employing a site supervisor in the person of Dr to access the site across their land; We also wish available; publications even? from the Museum of Barnstaple and North Martin Gillard of English Heritage and Exeter to thank Phil and Jean Griffiths for providing Networking certainly worked for the Devon). University who freelances as an excavator. Martin accommodation for the students and for allowing Holworthy dig. It was very well supported not From all this it should be clear that NDAS is brought with him four student volunteers from us to hold our barbecue at Walner Farm at the only by NDAS members, but by our neighbours making progress in raising its profile, reaching Exeter, Sam, James, Nick and Flick (Felicity!) who end of the Open Day. Thanks also go to RMB from TAG (Tiverton) and by people who are not out and achieving its aims. None of this happens were comfortably accommodated in a barn at Chivenor for the loan of tents and of men to put in any group, but had heard about it through without people making an effort. It was terrific Walner Farm. In addition, Martin’s partner Genna them up. the media. Holworthy takes up a large part of having so many volunteers helping on the had baked a cake which was ceremonially doled this issue of the newsletter for the very good Holworthy dig, but we still have a limited out with a (clean) trowel at the first morning tea- The Excavation: reason that it is important in regional terms number of individuals tackling the break. Things were off to a good start and in Ross Dean had previously been over the site with and a significant NDAS achievement. Hillslope organisational tasks. Let’s be quite frank about it general were to stay that way. resistivity and gradiometer surveys and worked up enclosures have been high on the agenda of here. The Society needs more members to come Since the 2003 evaluation trenches had turned the data into very readable colour-coded plots archaeology in the South-West for a very long forward and help – we need fresh blood. If you up evidence of Bronze Age occupation, the plan which enabled us to place our open areas and time, yet apart from an example at Rudge near feel that you could help in any way, from for 2004 was to open up a larger area so that the trenches where we might acquire the most Morchard Bishop (excavated by Malcolm Todd organising an open day to just making the tea - pottery and gully feature previously exposed could information. in 1986-9), none in Devon has hitherto been or perhaps helping to produce this newsletter be seen within a broader context. In addition we Trench 1 was laid out 12.0m x 1.5m E-W acoss looked at in any detail. The Holworthy hillslope (?), please make yourself known to any wanted to explore the nature of key features of the E enclosure bank. At this point the slight enclosure becomes only the second in the committee member.Your society needs you! the site highlighted by Ross Dean’s magnetometry earthwork seemed relatively well preserved so we

4 5 the site. It was very apparent as a feature filled with dark soil standing out against the orange. Originating towards the SE of the area, it began as a shallow bowl the base of which was apparently baked. The high charcoal content of the fill began at this point and continued for roughly 3.5m. Farther to the NW the trench became more shallow and the fill less dark. Large stones sunk into the fill or lying on top of it were a feature of the trench, as were a number of flint thumbnail scrapers scattered through the fill. At one point very careful excavation revealed what appear to be the carbonised remains of a wooden bowl apparently abandoned in the ashes. A considerable number of post-hole features were identified. Prominent among these were six, ultimately seven large postholes which were stone-lined and clearly formed two thirds of a circle. It is assumed that these represent the major Holding aloft the (mini)saddle quern One of the plugged post-holes of the round-house supporting posts of a roundhouse, which was probably 12m-13m in diamater.The vessel found hoped to get a good idea of its construction. We also reached this far and crossed the edge of one recovered. This was sent for analysis and was in 2003 would have been within this structure. also wanted to explore a linear feature which the of the “enclosures”. The purpose here, therefore, found to contain high levels of copper and Near to its location a quantity of pottery sherds geophysical survey showed curving around the was to examine this junction of features. arsenic. This raised the tantalising possibility of were found mostly in association with a shallow edge of the enclosure at this point. copper working somewhere nearby, but as the scoop containing charcoal or carbonised wood. Trench 2 was an open area laid out 10.0m x The Results: fragment was in the ploughsoil, it could not Within the area of the apparent roundhouse we 10.0m in the NE quadrant of the enclosure. The reliably be tied to the site. However, beneath the also found a small saddle-quern, a clay loom- purpose of this was to pursue the implications of Trench 1: compact stonework or revetting a quantity of weight and - in a post-hole – a stone tool which the Middle Bronze Age pottery vessel and of the After removal of the turf and ploughsoil, a 1.5m – burnt material was exposed. This was bulk- may have been used for leather-working. Other length of gulley filled with charcoal and charcoal 2.0m wide band of densely packed stone was sampled and awaits analysis. post-holes identified may represent divisions stained soil found in 2003. This area lay across a revealed lying N-S just below the highest point of within the roundhouse, but more convincingly slight platform which had been previously the enclosure bank. When this was further Trench 2: show a relationship with the charcoal-filled gulley identified by earthwork survey and which included explored by removal of the stone, it was found This large area was the most revealing. Removal which could pre-date the roundhouse. Other post- possible areas of burning activity identified by the that the earthwork had been formed by cutting of the turf and initial mattocking of the ploughsoil holes were found sealed beneath what appears to geophysics. into the natural slope and revetting the resulting revealed a broad and quite dense spread of stone be redeposited material and may date from a Trench 3 was laid out 12.0m x 1.5m to the NE surface with stone. To the E beyond this band of such as had been seen in previous years. This was period before the enclosure was made. of Trench 2. Like Trench 1, the purpose here was stone lay a random scatter of stone of varying size concentrated towards the NE of the area, Interestingly a number of the major post-holes to explore the linear feature identified by lying in a restricted, but not coherent band becoming less pronounced to the SW. A few were sealed off with a large stone placed in the geophysical survey and to ascertain its running N-S through the trench. There was the sherds of prehistoric pottery were recovered. centre, as if, on abandonment of the site, the relationship to the enclosure. possibility that this might represent the linear Successive campaigns of mattocking and posts had been removed and the post-holes Trench 4 was laid out 4.0m x 4.0m at a feature identified by geophysical survey, but when trowelling finally removed the overburden of plugged or capped. distance of 30.0m NW of Trench 2 in an area the area was examined by box-section, nothing ploughsoil and stone spread, revealing a where geophysical survey had indicated a number identifiable was revealed. There was however an predominantly orange subsoil with a great deal of Trench 3: of linear features which suggested small irregular area of disturbance in the SE corner of embedded stone. The section of gulley revealed in Features found in Trench 3 were very similar to rectilinear enclosures, possibly ditched or fenced the trench, but this was thought to represent tree- 2003 which had been thought perhaps to those seen in Trench 1, ie. a band of densely paddocks or small arable fields. In addition the root disturbance. From the ploughsoil one represent a drip-gulley, in fact turned out to be packed stone, a band of random stone and a linear feature to be explored in Trenches 1 and 3 fragment of possible metal working slag was part of a shallow trench snaking SE – NW across scoop where the hilllside had been dug into

6 7 Excavations at Harris’s Shaft, Combe Martin 2004 Trevor Dunkerley -There was a period during which activity on the environmental evidence. Treatment means wet The above excavations are now complete. The site involved burning within a trench. sieving and sorting by flotation. This is a wet and Combe Martin Silver Mines Research and -This activity probably pre-dates the construction probably chilly job, but has the potential to be very Preservation Society has been using landscape of a major roundhouse. rewarding. Physically separating environmental archaeological techniques to further its - As the stone lining and capping of the large treasures from soil and clay is a job for volunteers. information base of the Mine Close and Mine post-holes were already apparent in the lowest Any offers? Please contact Alistair (01598 740359) Tenement site. Over the last two years we have layer of overburden, they probably represent – in used geophysical survey (examination and the form of a large round-house - the last phase Higher Holworthy plotting of sub-surface features, using fluxgate of activity. While we were digging on the hillslope enclosure, gradiometer and resistance surveys), -To have survived intact and in situ, the vessel Jim Knights took a party of volunteers down to the gemorphological research (examining the base found in 2003 must also belong to the abandoned site of Higher Holworthy in the valley geology and soils around Harris’s shaft), and most recent phase of activity on the site. It below. This small settlement was shown as ‘test-pits’, (to test hypotheses developed therefore provides broad dating for this phase, inhabited at the time of the Tithe Survey (1840’s), through fieldwork). In 2005 we will be using Carbonised wooden object emerging – a bowl? ie. Middle Bronze Age, around 1,000 – 1,200 but was deserted by the time of the 1851 census. In topographical survey (the production of scaled BC. the 1840’s it was a separate holding from plans using equipment such as distance apparently to form a scarp and a platform. As in -There may well have been small paddock-like Holworthy being occupied by Thomas Dovell. All we measuring devices, plane-tables or tapes) to Trench 1, a box-section was dug to explore enclosures associated with the earthwork, but see now is an irregular enclosure, a ruined barn and further the information already gained. beneath the random stone, but no feature firm conclusions cannot yet be drawn about this. some struggling apple-trees. Jim had previously Two achievements of the excavations stand resembling a ditch could be identified. The single post-hole found “capped” in Trench 4 used the Society’s resistivity meter to conduct a out. Firstly, through the identification and dating Trench 4: suggests the possibility of another large geophysical survey on the site and had come up of clay pipe bowls and pottery sherds, we have This 16m2 area was meticulously excavated by structure to the west. with what appeared to be traces of a building. As determined that the mines continued to be Sam Wells, one of the Exeter students. The major far as we could tell this was in the right position to worked during the 18th century. There is no Possible Future Work: features identified were a single large post-hole in represent a building shown on the tithe map, but documentary evidence for this. Secondly, as the There is a further area of geophysical interest in the W corner of the area. This was stone-lined and only excavation would prove it. So Jim’s party of diagram shows, it is now evident that Corner the SW quadrant of the enclosure. The interest ‘capped’ just like those in Trench 2; a spread of volunteers dug test-pits. And lo and behold, they Lane, which divides the fields of Mine Close and centres upon a “burning event”. If analysis of soil random stone like that seen in Trenches 1 and 3; a came down on the stump of a wall and the Mine Tenement, was originally as deep at this samples suggests some kind of “industrial” line of stake-holes running E-W and remnants of a slate-flagged floor! There was a point as at the village end of the lane providing activity, further exploration may be necessary corresponding in orientation to the edges of the certain amount of pottery of late 18th and early further evidence that Corner Lane may originally ‘paddocks’ suggested by geophysical survey. There -The possibility of an entrance to the enclosure on 19th century date and the stump of wall had been have been a deep open mining trench was, however, again no clear sign of the linear the SE probably needs to be examined. rendered in lime plaster. So this was a domestic throughout its length. feature. -The system of “paddocks” invites further building and very probably the house of Thomas investigation. Dovell. This site needs more work which will I would like to take this opportunity to thank Provisional Conclusions: -The possibility of a structure to the west also probably be included in any future excavation at members of NDAS and TAG who have assisted This part of the earthwork was formed by cutting invites investigation. Holworthy Farm. with these excavations over the last two years. into the natural slope of the ground and drawing In 2005 we will be looking at the piece of material forward to form a platform. The scarp With so much burning activity on the site, we have The following bodies helped NDAS to fund the ground in front of the Blacksmith’s Shop on formed by cutting into the ground was revetted a lot of charcoal from which to select samples for Holworthy Excavation in 2004: which Jim Knights carried out a resistance with stone. There may have been a palisade or Carbon 14 dating and possibly species Council for British Archaeology: £500 survey this year, the results of which appear to dead-hedge on top of this. identification. In addition we have numerous bulk Exmoor Trust: £200 show foundations of further buildings and -There may have been a structure on the site samples taken from different contexts which need North Devon District Council (Community Grants): £684 possibly the site of the mine reservoir and before the formation of the earthwork. to be treated in order to extract possible Royal Archaeological Institute: £1200 water wheel.

8 9 The Site Supervisor’s Tale Martin Gillard

to define the bank of the enclosure as a spread of tantalising hints of metal-working, if confirmed, heaped stone, and identify some features within it would make this lovely site very rare indeed. – notably a substantial roundhouse. The fact that In conclusion, can I extend my thanks to all the the bank lacked a ditch serves to distinguish it NDAS excavators for their hard work and from some other hill-slope enclosures where a enthusiasm; and for the warm welcome that was ditch is visible in the earthwork; evidently this extended to me and the student diggers: Flick, category of monument is not as simple as might Nick, James and Sam, who all had a great time. have been supposed. The roundhouse was a real There have been disputes in British archaeology thrill for me, as those present on the last day will over the role of ‘professionals’ and ‘amateurs’ – have observed. Personally I am more excited by the Holworthy excavations confirmed what I have structures and buildings than finds and artefacts. suspected all along: to be professional or amateur Just imagine that windy hillside 3000 years ago, has nothing to do with being paid and everything with an oval, stone-walled enclosure and thatched to do with how we go about our business. By that roundhouses huddled within it. Of course, the criterion the NDAS team are as professional a Martin preparing to cement relationships with the team by means of cake. finds are important as well – the pottery and flints group as I have ever worked with. Many thanks! seem to confirm the Bronze Age date and the Hope we can do it all again some time! It would be an exaggeration to say I was nervous team - from veterans to ‘first timers’– were at the prospect of supervising the NDAS enthusiastic and keen and quick to develop their excavations at Holworthy Farm, but I would be excavation skills. No offence was taken when I lying if I did not admit to a touch of apprehension. suggested refinements to trowelling techniques; As it turned out, there was no need to be the grumbling was strictly good natured when I concerned – a keener or more cooperative group requested straighter sections or that people might of diggers would be hard to find, and to top it all, wish to go back to where they had started and this was an interesting site in a wonderful Exmoor trowel-back again! Or is that just an assumption? setting! Perhaps the NDAS diggers are better actors than I As you doubtless know, the site at Holworthy give them credit for? Farm is of the sort labelled by archaeologists a As for the archaeology, old hands like me are ‘hill-slope enclosure’. Prehistorians like to never happy until we have ‘found natural’ – the categorise sites, probably because theyare short of undisturbed bedrock and subsoil – so we have hard information– or is that my medievalist’s something to leave blank on our plans and to prejudice coming out? These sites are found in distinguish from the features. On Exmoor, the their hundreds across Cornwall, north Devon and natural tends to be weathered shillet or west Somerset and have in the past been thought sandstone, soft material that leaves one longing to be Iron Age (c500BC – 43 AD) in date. The fact for the certainties of the hard, clean chalk of that past excavations at Holworthy had turned up Wessex. I have been known to hug and even kiss earlier, Bronze Age material is of importance for a digger for finding natural, only to discover that the region’s archaeology as a whole: the dating of it was a band of redeposited material! (When I this entire category of monuments will have to be tell you that the digger was Big Sam - one of the rethought. Therefore, NDAS’ work at this one site student volunteers - you will appreciate how is of significance across Exmoor and beyond. important this is to me, or how I need to get out When it came to the actual digging, the whole more!) Nevertheless, we were able at Holworthy Cap’n Gillard with his faithful Man Friday David Parker

10 11 The NDAS Local History Day Terry Green

On Saturday 23rd October 2004 NDAS held an Devon and to NDAS members. The response was presented our fishweirs project, the Holworthy their say and questions were discussed. all-day “forum” for Local History groups in the immediate and enthusiastic with up to 90 dig, recent work at High Bray and the Out of the Open Forum came two important Assembly Rooms at South Molton. Committee individuals wishing to attend. participation of NDAS members in the Exmoor proposals. The purpose of the day had been to member Derry Bryant had taken on the task of On the day the weather was foul and it does Iron Project. begin a process of networking among groups who setting it up and deserves hearty congratulations credit to those who attended that they were ready The format of the day was a split between 30- are widely dispersed, but share a common for the scope of her organisation and the all- to carry their displays across Devon, struggle minute talks, informal meetings and a final open regional interest. It was felt that the purpose had round success of the day. through South Molton’s Farmers’ Market day forum. NDAS began the day with a brief been achieved and in this vein, Jenny Yendall of The idea of such a gathering was first floated traffic and hump their kit up the stairs to the introduction to the Society and its aims and Tiverton Archaeological Group began the session in the January NDAS Committee meeting and was Assembly Rooms despite the conditions. The result activities. This was followed by Jonathan Edmonds with a proposal. This was that a central register of discussed in the Editorial to the Spring 2004 was well worth it. Seventeen groups were due to of the Friends of South Molton Museum who read historical and archaeological groups in northern Newsletter.At that time it was not clear whether put on displays (in the end two pulled out owing a paper on the history of the South Molton Devon should be formed. Initially this should be a it would take the form of an exhibition or a to illness) and by 9.30 on the morning of 23rd Assembly Rooms, Guild Hall and Courtroom. simple list of groups with their contact details and gathering of people with common interests or October, South Molton’s magnificent main Jonathan then provided a guided tour of the a statement of their interests to be made widely both. In the end it was decided that the primary assembly room was lined with tables and display building in which participants had the rare available with the purpose of facilitating the purpose at this stage was to provide people with boards bearing photos, documents, maps and privilege of viewing the Mayor’s Parlour, while at exchange of information and ideas. The proposal a meeting point where they could share ideas and some attractive publications illustrating the hard the same time those who felt so inclined watched was welcomed and Jenny began the process by information, so the idea of a public exhibition was work and enthusiasm of groups from all points of a slide show about early 20th century South and asking representatives to register their interest on put on hold. Invitations were therefore sent out the compass (For a list of exhibitors see below). . From this point on, talks were held a list that was passed round. The second proposal both to Local History groups all across northern Among the displays was our own stand where we in a side room, giving people the choice of was that an event such as this should be repeated listening or continuing to examine and discuss the regularly, and that in future an exhibition should displays in the main hall. The morning’s talks be provided for the general public. This too was concluded with a presentation by Tim greeted with enthusiasm, but of course implies a Wormleighton on the work of the North Devon need for organisation. Let us hope that a process Records Office in which he gave a “virtual” tour has been set in motion that will ensure it. of the building and introduced the range of documents that are kept there. Displays were provided by: After lunch Shirley Bray and Derrica Hodgson ACE Archaeology Club Winkleigh, Charles of South Molton Archive talked about the loss of Historical Society, Creacombe Historical Society, historic buildings in South Molton and the need to History Society, House Scouts (Winkleigh), record buildings before it becomes too late. Next Hartland Archive, Newton Tracey and District came Stephen Hobbs of the Hartland Archive Historical Society, North Devon Searchers, South Project who spoke about the monumental task of Molton Archive and Historical Society, North digitally recording the wealth of historic Devon Archaeological Society, Parracombe documents that Hartland is privileged to possess. Historical Society, Portable Antiquities Scheme, Nicola Powell, Finds Liaison Officer for Devon Tiverton Archaeological Group, Torrington and followed on, speaking about the Portable District Historical Society, Westward Ho! Historical Antiquities Scheme and the benefits it promises to Society, Witheridge Historical Society. bring in making sure that finds are properly recorded. Finally, tea and a further look at the Apologies were received from: displays led on to the Open Forum back in the Bideford and District Community Archive, Jenny Yendall making her proposal at the end of the day. main hall in which groups were invited to have History Society.

12 13 ACE at Teigncombe: Summer 2004 Janet Daynes

The Dartmoor Archaeology and Bracken Project’s excavation at Teigncombe ended this year (fifth season) on the 29th of August and at that point the sun came out! This year we got rain, in all its forms from continuous drizzle to the torrential remains of what hit Boscastle. What a contrast with the extreme heat of last year! In fact very little time was lost to the weather, though most of the diggers seem to have evolved webbed feet and gills! Although we were excavating at deeper levels this year - over 1.5 metres in some places - we were still coming across bracken rhizomes. As the research aim of the excavation is to look into the possible damage they could cause to buried archaeology, they were plotted, then removed, measured and recorded just like everything else. We have now removed over 7 kilometres of bracken rhizomes from the roundhouse, so the potential for compromising the stratigraphy within is very worrying. This year’s excavation has revealed a well laid flagstone floor by the doorway, with a black-faced granite “door mat” in front of the threshold stone. Several postholes and lots of potential stake-holes were excavated, the soil from these The excavation team standing on the flagstone floor being bagged up for analysis. of the roundhouse. A record total of 549 finds, most of them pottery, but including quite a few beautiful whet from the spoil heap but surely not that many. deposition. Examination of the plan of the Current Archaeology stones, flint tools and some charred hazel nut Perhaps the long period of occupation from the rhizome mat, the tree roots and the animal back issues shells, will probably mostly turn out to be Bronze Bronze Age to the first or second century AD burrows within the archaeology of the Age with some Iron Age and a few pieces of would also go some way towards an explanation. roundhouse and also the way the finds are Colin Humphreys wishes to sell a Romano-British. Sadly there was not one bit of Only after a lot of thought, analysis, the final distributed in three dimensions will hopefully stack of back issues of Current late 20th century yoghurt pot (mandarin flavour)! report and probably another (control) roundhouse show if the stratigraphy has been disturbed and Archaeology. This excellent This brings the total number of finds to date to excavation on the Kestor settlement will we get by what. publication has been around since 1149, a lot for just one roundhouse. The average the answer. Over the next few months the director Dr the late 1960’s and is an invaluable number of pot-sherds found in a Dartmoor All the finds up to this year have been three- Sandy Gerrard will be sifting through all this reference source for archaeology in roundhouse is usually about 12, so serious dimensionally recorded, so that we know exactly information and very efficiently producing an Britain over the last 35 years. questions are now being asked. Our excavation where they came from. This year however, interim report and our poor pottery expert Anyone interessted in stocking up technique of trowels only and a few centimetres because so many finds were appearing edge on, it Henrietta Quinnell will be wading her way should phone Colin on 01271 at a time, would probably help save some finds was decided to also record the angle of their through this year’s finds. 882152 or 883000.

14 15 Field-walk and test-pitting at High Bray Jim Knights

The Tithe Apportionment of c.1840 records a During a September Sunday afternoon When the finds were analysed there were what appeared to be the natural weathered shillet number of intriguing field-names around the members of NDAS and inhabitants of Brayford, around 1100 pottery fragments together with into which channels had been cut. Here two test- village of High Bray (See the accompanying High Bray and the surrounding area gathered flints, scraps of metal, tile and iron slag which – pits were joined up and extended to make a 3.5 map). Fields containing the elements Barton and together to walk the field. Having been shown this being the Brayford area – might well have metre trench which revealed a line of three post- Coney lying near and adjacent to Barton Lane examples of what to look for, people were sent been Roman. The flints ranged from Mesolithic holes set into the shillet. The channels were full of which does an interesting dog-leg around off to their starting points and began the slow, through Bronze Age to gun-flints from flint-lock soft soil and had been – partially at least – lined Garden Close are very suggestive of earlier methodical business of plodding along their guns. There were 150 medieval pottery fragments, with stone slabs suggesting either vermin traps or arrangements. When the land-owner pointed out allotted strip of ground. There was no shortage and a similar amount from the early post-medieval the constructed burrows of a medieval warren. No that a lot of pottery came up when he ploughed of finds; the land-owner was right. In the end period plus around 800 sherds from the 17th to firm conclusions can be based on a few test-pits the field called West Barton (numbers 34 and 35 1500 items were picked up which were briefly early 19th centuries. This large quantity of pottery and more work needs to be done here. We appear on the map – a boundary has gone missing), a washed on site before being roughly sorted and which was widely and more or less evenly spread to have the beginnings of a “High Bray Project”. field-walk seemed in order. bagged up. across the field suggested midden-carting over many centuries. However, analysis of the distribution of the finds indicated a concentration The NDAS of medieval pottery in the north end of the field, suggesting either a medieval settlement or a more Resistivity Meter restricted area of arable at an early date. It is Jim Knights proposed to examine this area with the resistivity meter. Crossing fields to begin the walk, it was quite Eight sites have now been examined and obvious that the fields called Coney Close and confidence in use of the resistivity meter is Higher Coney Close contained a significant number growing. It proved itself at Higher Holworthy of earthworks. This prompted a closer examination where it indicated the site of a building and of the area with a brief desktop study, a survey subsequent test-pitting confirmed it. We are with the resistivity meter and finally test-pits. The currently surveying earthworks in , provisional conclusion was that this area had at thought to be an early road through the village. In one time contained a rabbit warren and that the December we will be examining an interesting earthworks might be “pillow-mounds”. earthwork at Dean between Combe Martin and The resistivity survey concentrated on a corner Parracombe. The mechanics of the survey are now of the field called Coney Close (number 47 on the carried out with confidence and, dare I say, tithe map). In 1840 this small area was an competence. However the use of the software enclosure (number 48 on the tithe map) described filters requires more successful experience on as “Waste”. The survey suggested structures, so a known features to gain greater assurance. One of test-pitting exercise was organised. In all, seven the conditions of our acquiring the machine 1m x 1m pits were dug, and the results both through the Tarka Millennium Award Scheme (via confirmed and contradicted the survey. Outside the Trevor Dunkerley) was that we should be prepared boundary of the former enclosure, medieval to lend it to other groups, provided they insure it. (including one sherd of 11/12th century Saxo- We have been asked by a group at Branscombe if Norman ware) and post-medieval pottery was they may borrow it, and I shall shortly be taking it found, but no structure. Inside the boundary a layer down to South Devon to help with the survey of a Extract from the First Edition OS six inch map (1890) with tithe map details (1840) superimposed. of 19th century material in a cindery matrix overlay Brionze Age site.

16 17 Digging at Blacklake Wood June Aiken

Realising that I should miss out on the Holworthy we had to do was carry tools up the hill and into dig, since I should be away on holiday in July, I the woods. We found that trees had been obviously said yes when Gill Juleff sent an email removed, but proper clearance of the undergrowth asking if I would like to join in the Exeter was still needed. This involved cutting long grass University dig at Blacklake Wood outside and removing rhododendrons. It was very wet and Dulverton. I offered to do 2 days a week for four muddy, so one group was set the task of collecting weeks, and when I returned from holiday I found I fallen branches to make a wooden path around was “on”. the site. This was hard work and felt like taking Blacklake Wood is another iron-working site part in an “It’s a Knock-out” game, as it was so about 2 kilometres north-west of Dulverton. The slippery. Next day it was turf removal! This was not dig was part of the Exmoor Iron Project which in easy. When you picked up a turf on the shovel it 2002 and 2003 had focused on Sherracombe Ford slid off into the mud, and trying to pile them up near Brayford. This site was deep in woodland for later replacement was impossible! After a day beside the River Barle. of slipping about, I found that people almost On the first day I drove to Dulverton where I crossed the road to avoid this mud-spattered joined the team to be transported to the site in woman, as I made my way back to my car! the Exeter University minibus. In fact we were Although the weather was unkind with bursts driven to the site headquarters and the first thing of heavy rain, the site was eventually cleared and

A very rare find: possible “Dark Age” pottery from among the slag and charcoal.

the real dig began. From previous investigations in lumps which will aid Carbon 14 dating. the 1990’s, it was thought that this site might As well as digging, I spent a day recording represent an early medieval iron-smelting site. finds. I found this very interesting and was Preliminary Carbon-14 dating suggested very amazed at the variety of material collected. There early medieval. There were slag and charcoal in was a very large core of furnace lining which was abundance, but the site was totally different from incredibly heavy. There was a whet-stone which the Sherracombe Ford site where I had previously was easily identifiable. There was, of course, volunteered. The sections through some of the masses of slag and there was what appeared to trenches were text-book illustrations of be the result of a failed smelt. There was not stratification with successive layers of charcoal, much pottery. In fact there was none until Jim orange coloured soil and more charcoal. Although Knights found a piece which caused great we found plenty of iron slag and furnace lining, it excitement. It has been examined and may be was some time before a furnace site was 6th/7th century so-called “E-ware” from southern discovered. The quantity of charcoal was amazing. Gaul. As the Carbon-14 date previously obtained In some places it seemed as if it had been made fell into the 6th century AD, that would make this on site; in others it seemed to have been stored a “Dark Age” site. BUT, identification has still to leaving deep layers of charcoal dust. Some of it be confirmed. was in whole rounds which will make species Even after spending eight days in the mud, I Working at Blacklake Wood identification possible; much of it was in large still enjoyed myself. My husband thinks I’m mad!

18 19 Investigations at Hatherleigh: an Update News from the North Devon Record Office Deborah Laing-Trengove Tim Wormleighton

Since May, work on the Roman tilery site at remains of a kiln with a characteristic magnetic With the closure of our headquarters office, the from over 300 archive repositories throughout Hatherleigh has been progressing well. Some ACE anomaly were found….Shards of pottery found Devon Record Office in Exeter, throughout the and can be searched by keyword, date, members spent a day dowsing the site in early on the ground surface during the survey and by a second half of 2004 (pending their move to new and so on. In order to publicise this resource more May and a few weeks later we held the planned fieldwalking survey support a Roman date for premises scheduled to open in January 2005 at widely, the Record Office will be holding fieldwalk, focusing on the initial find spot and an pottery production at the site. The north-eastern Great Moor House, Sowton, Exeter) and the awareness sessions in libraries throughout north adjacent stream. As the site was not ploughed, corner of the survey area contained evidence that screening of a major, ten-part BBC TV series on Devon in the coming months. the area that could be searched was quite small could be interpreted as a settlement or other family history, Who Do You Think You Are?, things and thanks to a very good turn out, the work was similar human activity although this is by no at the North Devon Record Office have been For further information on developments and the concluded in a much shorter time than means certain. Evidence for a possible track and somewhat busier than usual this year, with a latest information on the opening of the new anticipated. A grid had previously been laid out various phases of ploughing were also recorded. noticeable increase in the numbers of both Devon Record Office in Exeter, see our website at and parties of volunteers were set to searching In line with the report recommendations, we document requests and enquiries. www.devon.gov.uk/record_office.htm. the grid squares on either side of the stream. They plan to carry out some further geophysical survey Nevertheless, we have endeavoured to play found tile fragments, lumps of baked clay, kiln work in the next few months to extend the area our part in a number of current national and wasters - at one point in very large numbers –and surveyed and hope to carry out further regional initiatives aimed at increasing access to, one piece of tile that appeared to have a tally archaeological investigations in the future. and awareness of, archival resources. The second Advance Notice: scratched on it. This was a very enjoyable as well The Hatherleigh Landscape Group has also national Archive Awareness Campaign kicked off as productive day with hundreds of pieces of tile been involved with other projects during the at the start of October and runs for the remainder Volunteers collected. It was heartening to see so many local summer including recording gravestones in the of the year, with the overall theme of Routes to people there and a big thank you to all those ACE local churchyard, an ongoing project, and Roots, linking with both the BBC family history It is probable that we shall wish to return to and NDAS members who did so much on the day concluding work on the tithe map. In June, group programmes and the current fascination for things Holworthy Farm in 2005 for a further season of (you know who you are!) members with the help and tutoring of Colin horticultural. To launch our involvement with the excavation. This is very likely to be in the first two In order to pre-empt any unwanted intrusive Humphreys carried out a building survey at the campaign, the North Devon Record Office hosted weeks of July. Alistair Miller will be compiling a activity on the site, an informal metal detector Bridge Inn, Hatherleigh. Although this proved a lively workshop on Discovering Devon’s Black provisional volunteer list, so would anyone who survey was carried out in June. This yielded only rather less straight forward than expected, the History on 9 October, led by local authors Lucy wishes to help please contact Alistair Miller on three horseshoes, but was worth doing as it event generated enough interest to merit an Mackeith and Mike Sampson. The story of Devon’s 01598 740359. showed that the grass growth was such as to ongoing project. There is enough local interest black communities is only just beginning to be We should also like to put together a short- make any activity of this sort impossible. After an from residents to make the project viable and unearthed and references have been found in notice survey team to help with geophysical impassioned plea to the CBA, prompted by some interesting, with offers of several properties to local archives dating back to the sixteenth survey, field-boundary recording, field-walking, unexpected fencing work on the site, Challenge investigate in the coming year. century. Some examples of original documents building survey, etc. Please let Alistair know if you Funding was acquired for a geophysical survey. were on display and some fascinating personal are willing or able to sign up. Subsequently a fluxgate gradiometer survey was stories were shared. Much more work remains to undertaken by Ross Dean in July and the be done into this neglected aspect of our history interpreted results indicate a number of areas of and any discoveries, archaeological as well as interest. written, can be reported to the Friends of Devon’s To quote Ross’s report summary notes: Archives database via the Record Office. Possible archaeological remains in the form of a Copies of a large proportion of our catalogues stone or masonry linear structure and ditches or of archive collections have been sent to the latest similar structures were identified in the northwest phase of the South West regional Access To corner of the survey area. Evidence for possible Archives project, Access All Areas, for inclusion on kilns or related debris deposits was found at three a searchable website database at separate locations within the survey area. The www.a2a.org.uk. The site includes catalogues

20 21 A Short Bleep! on Metal Detecting Winkleigh House David Grenfell Scouts Janet Daynes

My fascination with the hobby of metal reported treasure item than they would probably benefits of metal detector pre-dig site surveys, Since the launch of the project in February we have detecting began 36 years ago, a couple years obtain from a dealer. open trench ground scanning and spoil heap had the IT part of the community Kiosk up and before metal detectors first appeared on sale in However, determining what finds qualify as searches have been appreciated and utilised running in the Winkleigh Community Centre on the UK. At that time you had to obtain a pipe treasure is not as straightforward as it used to by archaeologists. Countless independent and most Tuesday evenings and at the Mini-market on finder’s licence before you could legally use a be. The guidance offered by the new Treasure club based detectorists, including myself, have Wednesday mornings. This has worked well. The detector. My first machines were home made, Act Code of Practice has 5 separate and been delighted to assist archaeologists in this Tuesday evening sessions find us adding data and first a BFO (beat frequency oscillator) model somewhat complicated, categories. But basically hands-on way. Just like you, the readers of this images to House Scouts, doing some IT and other which was crude but it worked; then a much treasure is any metallic object, other than a coin, magazine, most detectorists have a thirst for training, generally catching up with what the more sophisticated model using the IB containing more than10% by weight of gold or knowledge of the past and covet the volunteers are doing and exchanging ideas etc. At (induction balance) principle. This was so silver and at least 300 years old. opportunity to be involved, via any or all of the the Mini-market we get a great deal of interest successful that I received commissions from Another new Government initiative that above legal methods with our country's from the folks attending. People have brought in friends and constructed another five. The profit affects anyone finding something of historical history. photographs and documents for scanning and our from these enabled me to import an American,, interest is the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS). collection is rapidly growing. Thanks to Pat Tong, we factory-built, state of the art machine, a Garret Since 1997 a national network of Finds Liaison PAS web site – www.finds.org.uk now have a wonderful collection of postcards and Groundhog. It incorporated such luxuries as all Officers (FLOs) has been established throughout Barnstaple Museum – 01271 346747 photographs of Winkleigh, some of which were metal or non-ferrous discrimination and a target England and Wales. To date more than 63,000 Nicola Powell - 01392 665983 taken by Lawrence just after the turn of identification meter. Buy one today and it will be finds, the great majority from detectors, have email: [email protected] the last century with the same shots re-taken in the light to handle and bristling with digital been submitted and deemed important enough 1980’s by his niece, Sheila Molland. enhancements, such as an LCD screen that to be displayed and detailed on the PAS web The Community Kiosk display case was used purports to tell you what your find is, where it is, site. during Winkleigh Fair week. House Scouts were and how deep it is! Of course, it comes at a The FLOs are the main point of contact for invited to hold an exhibition of past Winkleigh Fairs, price!. reporting a treasure or any other metal or non- and also to display their old cups and programmes. Today detecting is a hobby enjoyed by an metal find including lithics, that might be This we duly did and it was great fun. We are really estimated 35,000 enthusiasts throughout the historically or archaeologically interesting. The grateful to the folks that let us have their UK. Most are members of the many county web-site is now a substantial, categorised, photographs to use. Without them it would have metal detecting clubs. There are two dedicated database, providing information for students, been a poor exhibition indeed! These photographs magazines and two large national organisations researchers, archaeologists and anyone will be made into a Winkleigh Fair display on our offering their members help, advice and £5m interested in the nation’s history. Most of the computer.We plan to start this in the autumn and pounds’ worth of public liability insurance FLOs are based at County museums. Nicola then to add to it at any time. (provided they adhere to the organisations’ code Powell the FLO for Devon can be contacted at This autumn we are planning to really get going of conduct). Exeter Museum and also holds regular Finds on some survey work. We have 9 properties that we The new Treasure Act of 1996 means that Days, on the 1st Tuesday of each month, at are investigating at the moment with more to start detectorists, and any other member of the public Barnstaple Museum, where, in her absence, I as on. David Purnell is still beavering away in the now have to report a treasure find or risk a museum volunteer, act as her North Devon Records Office coming to grips with old Winkleigh imprisonment for up to three months, a fine of Area assistant. Nicola is actively seeking and street names and where people lived, which will up to £5,000, or both. The widespread obtaining the confidence and support of local help anyone grappling with the census. awareness of this new law has resulted in many detectorists via these Tuesday and occasional It is most satisfying watching this project come more finds, including important and rare Saturday Finds Days. together.As per usual it is the same few people artefacts, being acquired by national and local The last decade or two has seen increasing doing all the work, so it may take just a little bit museums. Detectorists now also know that they co-operation between detector users and longer to complete, but hopefully it will be well will receive a fairer reward for any properly archaeological groups. For many years the worth it.

22 23 The North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Books Beauty: A call for volunteers Linda Blanchard

mariners of this treacherous coastline. More The Old Custom House, Barnstaple. recently Burrows, were used as practice Philip Milton and Margaret Reed grounds for American Forces and the well This book traces the history of the little building preserved practise landing craft are poignant on the Barnstaple Strand which was at one time reminders of the horror faced by soldiers who had the Jenny Wren Tea Rooms and before that the to use the real thing for the D-Day landings in West View Stores, but was for a long time Normandy in 1944 known as the Old Custom House and is the The AONB team consists of myself and Dave oldest surviving building on the Strand. It is now Edgcombe supported by Janine our administrator. the Old Custom House Restaurant. Documentary Our prime role is to encourage activities which research by Margaret Reed and a building will protect and enhance the landscape and survey by Colin Humphreys have begun to monitor change. So historic heritage is high on elucidate the evolution of this building and to our agenda. I am keen to get a better place it in the context of Barnstaple’s history. archaeological record of the area and will be The book is a thorough exploration of the working with agencies to secure funding to do a history of a single vernacular building during thorough survey. Some smaller projects will which multiple aspects of Barnstaple’s happen more quickly and, for example, we will be development are explored without ever losing working with the Combe Martin Alliance to sight of the central theme. The production of the improve local heritage trails. book was funded by the Tarka Millennium Our immediate priority is to get funding for a Award Scheme. community volunteer project which will provide a In promoting his new restaurant Philip Milton Clovelly Dykes a unique North devon coastal site.tif unique opportunity to work alongside experts in a has made much of its history, so that eating variety of fields gaining training and in-depth there is an experience for the historically minded As a long term (but recently pretty much sleeping) varied with barrows at Burdon Moor, and Berry understanding of the Coastal area. Volunteers will gourmet! On the 18th November 2004 and the member of the Society some of you may know me Down, near , promontory forts at be able to join events such as “record as you go” 12th January 2005 at 7.00 pm he invites you to as formerly being an archaeologist. Following a Hillsborough near , Embury Beacon themed walks, field recording sessions as well as a tour of the building and a buffet supper (price career change in 1991 to accommodate my young and Clovelly Dykes in the Hartland area and coming along to training sessions to learn more £10) where you will be able to buy copies of the family I've been out of archaeology for some villages dating back to the Domesday Book. about their preferred topic. We are keen to work book at a special price. For further information years. However with my new job I hope to have a Combe Martin is a fine example of a mining with NDAS members on the project and hope that phone 01271 37123. chance to do my bit for the heritage of the village and the work of NDAS members is you will support our funding bid and join some of coastline contributing much to the pool of knowledge the events. Parracombe and the Heddon Valley: An The North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural about this village. The area is steeped in I look forward to working with you in the near unfinished history. Beauty covers the superb stretch of coastal maritime history and tradition. Combe Martin future. Parracombe History and Archaeology Society landscape extending from Combe Martin (at the and Hartland Quay had small ports, serving the (Trailed in the NDAS Newsletter Spring 2004) edge of Exmoor National Park) to the Cornish local community; limekilns are found along the Linda Blanchard border. It is designated as a landscape of national whole stretch whilst Clovelly and Bucks Mills are North Devon AONB Manager NDAS has a special interest in Parracombe so importance of equal status, in landscape terms to good examples of traditional fishing villages. The Northern Devon Coast and Countryside Service that this thorough-going history of the parish is a National Park, but not as well funded! The region’s shoreline reveals a wealth of shipwrecks Bideford Station, Railway Terrace, East-the-Water, naturally allied to our own research project and designation reflects the importance of the and tales of smuggling and wrecking. Two large Bideford EX39 4BB is very welcome. For a start the book is unusual landscape character which, to a large extent, is lighthouses dominate the coastal headlands of Tel: 01237 423655 among local histories in that the opening the record of its human history. Sites are rich and Hartland and Bull Point and warn unsuspecting www.northdevon-aonb.org.uk chapter ‘Early Days’ is well founded in recent

24 25 Dates for Your Diary NDAS Winter Programme 2004-2005

archaeological research and the contemporary Unless otherwise stated, NDAS winter meetings Monday 21st February 2005: Thursday 14th October 2004: ‘take’ on prehistory, avoiding the usual are at 7.30 pm at Pilton Community College, Dr Bruce Bradley Dr John Coles depressing repetition of long out-dated Victorian Chaddiford Lane, Barnstaple. Admission free to Top of the World: the Mesolithic site of Zhokhov Landscapes with War Canoes: Rock carvings of notions. It continues equally well, tracing the members; visitors £2.00 Island. Northern Europe. history of the village through documents and the Dr Bruce Bradley describes himself on his website Peter Chalk Centre, University of Exeter, 7.15 pm. Monday 18th October 2004: memories of Parracombe villagers with a well- as Professional Archaeologist, Educator, John Newberry and Nan Pearce Thursday 11th November 2004: balanced mix of solid history and personal Flintknapper, Excursion Leader. Currently lecturing The Old Stone Age in North Devon: The Evidence Lindsay Allason-Jones anecdote. In the process it explores farming life, at Exeter University, Bruce Bradley also holds from the Taw-Torridge Pipeline Project and Women in the Roman North. transport, education, the church, wartime several associate posts at research institutions in Elsewhere: experiences and the vagaries of the weather and his native USA. In 2003 Bruce took part in the Thursday 9th December 2004: John Newberry and Nan Pearce are both experts reminds us that, like Combe Martin, Parracombe excavation of what is probably the most northerly Dr Bruce Bradley on lithic (flint and chert) finds from the South- has a vein of silver in its history which briefly (76º North) Mesolithic site in the world on Top of the World: Mesolithic archaeology of Polar West. The proposed talk is clearly of local interest, inspired a dream, but sadly came to nothing. This Zhokhov Island, Eastern Siberia. This must be Siberia. especially as it will present brand-new evidence is a very readable and well illustrated history about as difficult as land-based archaeology gets. for the Old Stone Age (Palaeolithic) in North Wednesday 19th January 2005 priced at only £5.00 and available from He has spoken about the experience on numerous Devon. The Prehistoric Society and the British Museum Barnstaple bookshops (Ottakar’s, W.H.Smith’s occasions now, and gives an absorbing talk. The Holcombe Mirror: Iron Age Mirrors – the state and the Tarka Bookshop) or by post from June Monday 15th November 2004: Monday 21st March 2005: of the art. Aiken, Evenlode, Church Lane, Parracombe, Dr Oliver Creighton NDAS Annual General Meeting Barnstaple EX31 4QI Tele: 01598 763316 Medieval Castles and the Making of the English Tuesday 15th February 2005: 7.00 pm in the Library at Pilton Community (postage £1.14). Landscape. Profesor Denys Pringle College. Dr Oliver Creighton is a Lecturer in Archaeology at The Crusader,Ayyubid and Mamluk Castles of A History of Tiverton Exeter University. His research interests include Monday 18th April 2005: Ayla (al-‘Aqaba), Jordan. Mike Sampson landscape archaeology, medieval archaeology and Terry Green Tuesday 8th March 2005: (published by Tiverton war Memorial Trust) castle studies. He has recently published two The Holworthy Farm Hillslope Enclosure: The NDAS Dr Barry Burnham books: Castles and Landscapes and (with R.A. excavations at Parracombe, Update and Prospects Based on extensive research, this new book Dolaucothi-Pumsaint: a review of recent work at a Higham) Medieval Castles. Terry Green (Current NDAS Chairman) is a charts Tiverton’s history from prehistoric times to Roman gold-mining complex. freelance archaeologist. He has conducted the the present day. It is printed in hardback with Monday 17th January 2005: NDAS excavations at Holworthy Farm, Plus: over 400 pages and 50 black and white Richard Jaeschke: Parracombe, during the summers of 2002 illustrations, many of which have not been “After the Dig is Over”: The conservation and Saturday 27th November 2004 (together with Colin Humphreys), 2003, 2004. This published before. The book retaisl at £25 and is reconstruction of archaeological finds from Devon Archaeology in Devon talk will be an opportunity to catch up with available from early November. to Points East. A day-school at St Lukes School of Education, progress on the site, and to review the prospects Richard Jaeschke is a professional freelance Heavitree Road, Exeter for further work. conservator living locally who, together with his Cost £16. For information phone 01392 262828 Note: wife Helena, has conserved objects from Ancient More Dates for Your Diary Alison Grant’s new book on North Devon pottery Sunday 5th December 2004 Egyptian mummies to the Holworthy Bronze Age The Devon Archaeological Society Winter Meetings is still in the pipeline. If you ordered a copy at the The 5th Exmoor Archaeology Forum – The future pot (excavated by NDAS 2003). Programme special pre-publication price be assured that your of Exmoor’s Past money is safe and that you will receive your copy Please note: all except the October meeting will An all-day (10.00 am – 5.00 pm) conference at when the time comes. If you are at all concerned, be held at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exmoor House, Dulverton. please phone Jane Green on 01271 866662. Queen Street, Exeter at 8.00 pm. Admission free Cost £12. For information phone Sue Parkman to DAS members. 01398 323665

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