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Dates for Your Diary (cont)

Saturday 1st July, 1.30pm - 5.00pm: Mining Sunday 17th September, 11.00am - 5.00pm: the Forest: a visit with an ranger to Ancient Man on the Moor: a walk with a National remote mineshafts. Meet Ashcombe carpark Park volunteer guide tracing man around Tarr Steps, SS774394. Rough walking; walking boots and the Punchbowl and Caratacus Stone. Meet weatherproof clothing essential. Mounsey Hill Gate SS894319. A 10 mile walk. Booking essential: phone 01398 323841. Walking Sunday 16th July, 12.00pm - 4.00pm: A Walk boots and weatherproof clothing essential. Bring a in the Past: Join a National Park Archaeologist and picnic. a National Trust Warden to look at Iron Age hillforts, a battle site, Victorian mines and an early Other hydro-electric poser plant. Boo king essential, phone 01598 763306. Meet Watersmeet Tea Friday 15th - Sunday 17th September: Society Garden SS744487. Walking boots and for Church Archaeology & Association of Diocesan weatherproof clothing essential. & Cathedral Archaeologists Joint Conference: The Archaeology of Ecclesiastical Landscapes. Friday 28th July, 10.30am - 5.30pm: (Booking details available on request from Terry Challacombe Cross-Country: A challenging (12 Green: phone 01271 866662) mile) walk on open moorland visiting, among others, Shoulsbury Iron Age fort and Radworthy Saturday 23rd September, 10.00am - medieval settlement. Meet in lay-by opposite 5.15pm: Lundy Studies: a symposium organised by Challacombe Post Office, SS694411. Walking the Lundy Field Society at the Peter Chalk Centre, boots and weatherproof clothing essential. Bring University of Exeter. For information contact David a picnic. and Judy Parker on 01271 865311 or write to Alan Rowland, Mole Cottage, Morwenstow, Cornwall Saturday 5th August, 11.00am: Around the EX32 9JR. Barrows: a visit with a member of the Exmoor Society to Larkbarrow, Tom’s Hill and Kittock. £2 Digging in : Trevor Dunkerley and donation. Meet at Alderman’s Barrow SS837424. the Combe Martin Silver Mines Restoration and For information phone 01398 323335. Walking Preservation Society will be digging at Mine boots and weatherproof clothing essential. Bring Tenement on Thursdays from 10.00 am till 4.00 pm a picnic. throughout the summer.Volunteers are welcome. For information contact Trevor Dunkerley on 01271 Sunday 27th August, 11.00am - 5.00pm:The 883833. Acland Story: a walk with a National Park volunteer guide taking in Lady Acland’s Hut, Bury Castle Iron Age settlement and St Agnes Fountain. Meet Selworthy SS920467 (overflow carpark at top of village beyond church). Booking essential: phone 01398 323841. Walking boots and waterproof clothing essential. Bring a picnic.

ISSUE 11 SPRING 2006

Designed and produced by Aiken Graphics Tel:01598 763316 Useful contacts Contents Editorial Limitations and possibilities

June Aiken ( Group) 01598 763316 Editorial During the last six years or so archaeological pottery or flints or you may have become aware of Derry Bryant (NDAS Secretary) 01769 572963 activity and research in northern has a development that affects a historic building and Officers of the Society Sally Cotton( and District Local stepped up considerably and we pride ourselves feel you should look into it. Since almost History Society) 01769 572378 The NDAS Constitution and Guidelines on being involved in these developments. We everything that may come to your attention will Janet Daynes (ACE Archaeology, and for Fieldwork have an increasing number of members who are be on private land, there is the immediate District) 01837 83925 probing the archaeological potential of their area question of avoiding trespass. Therefore, before Getting back to the NDAS Parracombe Jane Green (NDAS Treasurer and Membership and contributing to a detailed appreciation of the embarking on any intrusive activity, your first duty Project: Holworthy Farm Update Secretary) 01271 866662 history of northern Devon. This is very encouraging is to contact the landowner or his or her agent Terry Green (NDAS Newsletter) 01271 866662 Dykes and all to the good. However, this increased level and get permission. This is where your NDAS Collette Hall (NDDC Conservation Officer) 01271 of activity has now highlighted the need to set membership card comes in: the card is your bona Mesolithic Flint Working at Morte Point 346436 out guidelines so that the results of individual fides, your credentials assuring the landowner that Sean Hawken (Community Landscapes Project) The Palaeolithic Rivers Project researches are found to be useful and valid and so you have a legitimate interest and are 01392 263851 that members do not come into conflict with approaching him or her in good faith. If you wish A Fieldwalk at Heath Hill, Winkleigh Deborah Laing-Trengove ( History other people who have a stake in the land and to look any more deeply into what you have Group) 01837 810310 Mystery at Tawstock the archaeological resource. noted, you should make the Society aware of Alison Mills (Museums Service) 01271 346747 The NDAS Training Day held in February and what you are doing, so that you are covered by Geophysical Investigation at Tawstock Jenny Yendall (Tiverton Archaeological Group conducted by Sean Hawken (now appointed your NDAS insurance against personal injury and and South Molton Museum) 01884 255397 Lundy Studies Project Manager of Xarch) was concerned with public liability and so that you have the Society’s Lyn Walmesley (Teign Archaeology Group and the processes and requirements of setting up a support. In addition you should alert the County Exploring Archaeology (Xarch) Secretary CBA South-West) 01392 432184 local project. During the day Sean gave examples Archaeological Service to what you have found so Trevor Dunkerley (Combe Martin Silver Mines Victoria County History Exmoor Project of community-based projects and detailed the that it goes onto the Historic Environment Record Research and Preservation Society) 01271 steps that have to be taken to get a project - (HER). South Molton Museum Reborn 883833 especially a fieldwork project - off the ground. Over and beyond these really quite basic Rob Wilson-North (Exmoor National Park Hatherleigh Moor Update These included acquiring all the necessary conditions, there is the question of what kind of Authority Archaeologist) 01398 323665 permissions for access to sites, doing the project a local “amateur” society can legitimately PASt Explorers: Kids and Finds on the Web preparatory research, arranging finance, working pursue. We exist in a situation that involves Other Archaeological Bodies: Dates for your Diary out a project design and, most importantly, archaeologists with several different hats. There Devon County Historic Environment Record: deciding how results are to be made accessible to are the academics, the local government 01392 382246 others. A very good example of the process in professionals, the commercial archaeological Portable Antiquities Scheme: (RAM Museum action has been the survey of Holwell Castle, contractors and the voluntary independents or Exeter): 01392 665983 Parracombe, conducted by Mary Houldsworth and “amateurs”. Archaeology in Britain began with Council for British Archaeology (York): Jim Knights: they started with consent from the the amateurs, mostly vicars and landed gentry and 01904 671417 landowner, from Exmoor National Park and from retired army officers, and for a long time there National Sites and Monuments Record (Swindon): English Heritage (because the site is a scheduled was not even an academic discipline devoted to 01793 414600 ancient monument) and ended with a very the topic; and even when it did develop it workmanlike report, copies of which have gone to continued to be identified with the upper classes. all the interested parties. By a long evolutionary process, mostly through Of course, not all local researches by the second half of the 20th century, we have individuals end up as full-scale fieldwork projects. come to the present situation where the four Cover Picture: NDAS members surveying a very tall You may simply be curious about humps and strands identified here ought to be hedgebank at West Middleton farm, Parracombe. bumps in a field or may have noticed a scatter of complementary to each other. Our contribution is

2 3 Officers of the Society Fieldwork: Important!

to provide local detail. If we have done our work At the the NDAS annual general meeting held on 1. NDAS Constitution: 2. Guidelines for Fieldwork: well enough our results should feed through to 20th March the following members were elected to It is proposed to re-word clause 10 of the Before getting round to excavation however, there the academic quarter where they gain the General committee: Society’s constitution to bring it in line with recent are many stages that an investigation may go significance on a broad canvas of theories of the Representing Members: changes in its membership and range of activities. through from first noticing something interesting past. At the same time, by the very nature of its Derry Bryant, Malcolm Faulkner,Terry Green, Jane At present Clause 10 reads: to setting up a full-scale project. Below is a set of membership, the local group has the ability to Green, Mary Houldsworth, Marion Hughes, guidelines for the assistance of any member demonstrate the meaning and value of the local Members are encouraged to carry out individual Jonathan Lomas, Alistair Miller, David Parker, Hazel wishing to engage in fieldwork at any level. heritage to the community who are mostly eager field research, but no member, unless working Parker, Chris Preece, Maureen Wood to know. Increased knowledge leads to deeper as a professional, or under the authority of an 1 Before entering on private land, contact the appreciation and is ultimately a guard against Representing Associated Groups: archaeological society or a recognised landowner and get permission. environmental degradation. June.Aiken (Parracombe History and Archaeology archaeologist, may conduct or take part in any 2 Use your NDAS membership card as your So what do we do? Unlike 30 years ago, Society), Sally.Cotton (South Molton Archives), archaeological excavation. It shall be the duty of credentials (but not as a “get out of jail free” amateur groups are generally excluded from Harry.Cramp (Torrington History Society), Trevor every member who makes a discovery, or who card!) taking on “rescue” or any work where planning Dunkerley (Combe Martin Local History Society, hears of the threatened destruction of any site is involved: there are indemnity issues which CMSMRPS), Jim Knights (Brayford History Society), or object of apparent archaeological value, to 3 Before embarking on anything that affects a place this beyond the amateurs’ reach. On the Deborah Laing-Trengove (Hatherleigh report the facts to the Secretary and the scheduled ancient monument, apply to English other hand, it is perfectly legitimate to raise the Archaeological Group) appropriate authority. Heritage for ancient monument consent. alarm when something is threatened. We do Representing Interested Bodies: The proposed wording is: 4 For insurance purposes, inform the Society’s however, undertake research, which can Malcolm Prowse ( District Council), Committee of and seek approval for your embrace everything from basic reading around Members are encouraged to carry out individual Alison.Mills (Museum of and North intended project or activity. the subject, to documentary research, to survey, field research. Any member proposing to Devon), Sue Scrutton (Torrington Museum) to recording to digging and finally to engage in excavation, having gained all And for those who have got this far: publication. We have the luxury of pursuing our From among these, officers of the Society were necessary permissions, shall do so as an 5 In order to gain respect for your results, make interest without being constrained by the need elected as follows: archaeological professional or with the approval sure that your project is thoroughly prepared: to make it pay and without being harried by Chairman: Terry Green of a professional archaeological officer or with developers or planners. Above all, we are on the Vice Chairman: Jim Knights the authority of this or another archaeological a) Do the necessary background research (desk- spot and through knowledge and a love of the Treasurer and Membership Secretary: Jane society and shall carry out work to a nationally based study) and prepare a project outline locality are as well placed as anyone to make Green agreed standard. It shall be the duty of every (detailing stages and levels of investigation discoveries and to be alert to the significance of Secretary: Derry Bryant member who makes a discovery, or who hears from survey to excavation). local features. Providing we understand our of the threatened destruction of any site or In addition, Hazel Parker was elected to take charge b) Communicate your intentions and any results limits and respect the restraints outlined above, object of apparent archaeological value, to of fund-raising, David Parker to chair the Projects to the Society and to the relevant archaeological maintaining good relationships with report the facts to the Society’s General Sub-Committee, Alistair Miller to take charge of the officer. landowners, etc., we can build projects on our Committee and the appropriate authority winter programme. interests and contribute to a growing c) Cost your project. The Society may be able to understanding of the past much in the spirit of Sadly, since the AGM Jim Knights has had to stand This is included here so that you can consider the help. the indefatigable 19th century gentlemen who down due to unforeseen circumstances. Alistair Miller wording of this clause and pass comment. Any d) Make sure you know how the results are to started it all. has agreed to stand in as Acting Vice-Chairman. Also decision on a change of wording will be taken at be recorded and publicised. Trevor Dunkerley has withdrawn from the NDAS the 2007 AGM. committee due to the demands of study, home duties e) Ensure the proper archiving of finds (local and Combe Martin archaeology. The contribution of museum) and reports (local museum, record both gentlemen will be greatly missed. office, Historic Environment Record).

4 5 Getting back to the NDAS Parracombe Project Terry Green

The Holworthy excavation came out of the NDAS Common, South Common, the flint Parracombe Project which we set up in 2001. The scatters, etc; aim was to conduct an archaeological/historical • Draw together existing information on field survey of this interesting parish as a contribution monuments such as Chapman Barrows, Voley to the understanding of the evolution of the North Castle, Holwell Castle, etc.; Devon Landscape. The project was to include documentary history, a survey of the buildings of • Examine the field-systems, their chronology and the parish, a field-boundary survey, field-walking development; where and whenever possible, test-pitting and • Consider the origin of the settlements, both the excavation when required. The ultimate model for principal nuclei and the farmsteads (Parracombe the project was the Shapwick Project conducted in Churchtown with the church of St Petrock, Somerset by Mick Aston and Chris Gerrard. While Bodley, Middleton, Rowley, Holworthy, Holwell, that project was backed by University etc.); departments, and could set far more ambitious goals than a local society ever could, it seemed • Develop models to trace settlement evolution; possible that with enough voluntary assistance we • Within this framework, consider recent might ultimately arrive at an understanding of the influences such as the railway, road patterns, evolution of Parracombe, an upland parish. changes in farming, the World Wars, modern Inevitably what can be accomplished is communications, etc. determined by the number of people who are willing to become involved, and we are at present A standing stone near Heale. Voley Castle: a (supposed) Iron Age settlement. The questions raised should be considered in the only a small part of the way towards achieving light of Dr Martin Gillard’s PhD thesis on the the goal which we set ourselves. The most your Diary) and if you are able to volunteer your reference to a pound or enclosure, was attached Exmoor landscape, Dr Judith Cannell’s thesis on successful part of the project – apart from the assistance, please get in touch with June Aiken on to the whole outfield area in which the Bronze the archaeology of Exmoor woodland, the Holworthy excavation – has been the field- 01598 763316. Age settlement is situated. This suggests that the Holworthy dig, building records, the work going boundary survey which has so far taken in East The purpose of such a survey is to provide data enclosure was visible in historic times. on under the VCH umbrella. and West Middleton (though this farm has yet to with which to begin to peel away the layers of the Currently a number of NDAS members are This all amounts to a thorough investigation of be completed) and Holworthy Farm. At Holworthy historic landscape. Through previous survey work offering their voluntary assistance with the the landscape with opportunities for all the main Farm we have also done field-walking and have we have begun to establish that certain physical Voctoria County History project recently initiated techniques such as fieldwalking, geophysical completed a measured survey of the house. In fact characteristics of the existing hedge-banks can on Exmoor.The purpose of the project is to survey, earthwork survey, standing building it was when we came to Holworthy that we help to pinpoint some of the oldest boundaries. combine documentary and field evidence to recording, documentary research, oral history. A became distracted! We were encouraged to take a Comparing these with the historic maps, we can produce parish histories of a number of South number of elements here tie in with the parish look at the slight earthwork on the hillside above isolate tell-tale characteristics and recognise Exmoor parishes. Parracombe is not included, but history being developed by the Parracombe the farm and the rest, as they say, is history! succeeding episodes of enclosure. At Holworthy what we are trying to do there parallels the VCH Historical and Archaeological Society. The Holworthy Farm excavation, conducted Farm, for example, there is a boundary on the project. With this in mind, Rob Wilson-North A very important contribution to the between 2002 and 2005, has been a signal hillside below the Bronze Age enclosure, which is (ENPA archaeologist) has recently suggested the Parracombe Project was recently made by Mary achievement, but now that we are wrapping it up, recognisably a late, probably 18th century following “Parracombe Agenda”: Houldsworth and Jim Knights, when they we can get back to plan A. The first thing to do in construction. In the 1840 tithe award the steep completed a geophysical survey of Holwell Castle. It is suggested that we should:- the field is to complete the field-boundary survey ground below this boundary is called Holy Pound, And currently Margaret Reed is doing a of West Middleton and move on. In fact we have but it seems very probable that before the • Consider the Bronze Age evidence in the light of documentary sweep in the record offices a set dates to continue the survey (see Dates for boundary was made this name, with its clear Holworthy, looking at other enclosures, necessary and important step towards providing a

6 7 Holworthy Farm Update Terry Green

After four seasons of excavation at Holworthy Farm we are at the point where we either continue and turn it into a long-term project, collecting more and more data, which in the end gives us at best a partial picture of the birth, life and death of a single settlement; or we draw breath, assemble the data that we have and publish. Obviously there has been debate about this and the consensus is that the long term commitment would add little in the way of understanding, so for the present there will be no further digging at Holworthy Farm. At this point we are pretty confident about the date range of A “large” sample (3.9 gm) of carbonised grain all from the site, we have environmental information and one post-hole (with centimetere scale). we are able to discuss function. At present all of the Holworthy pottery has Meanwhile all the context details have been been marked up and has been to Henrietta assembled on a data-base, and a start has been Quinnell so that she can estimate the work made on converting site drawings into digital involved in writing a report. The single mass of form. sherds that came from our second “fire-trench” in As indicated above, since the last newsletter, 2005 has gone to conservators Richard and the wet-sieving (flotation) has been completed Helena Jaeschke to be stuck together. David and organic materials have been isolated. A most Part of the curving boundary of St Petrock’s churchyard: an early sacred enclosure or llan? Parker has completed the wet-sieving of the bulk pleasing discovery was a substantial quantity of samples taken in 2005 and has recovered carbonised grain in one post-hole. Substantial is a framework of recorded history for the quantities of carbonised organic matter, principally relative term here – we have 3.9 gm or a small archaeological evidence. wood charcoal and a quantity of seeds and cereal eggcupful – but nevertheless it is important, since From evidence gathered in these ways, we can grains – over 1,700 in all. Selected samples of the the charred grain from Holworthy is the first direct piece together a parish history which goes way wood charcoal have been sent to Rowena Gale evidence of prehistoric cereal cultivation in North beyond the written records. Ultimately and ideally for species identification, and from among these, Devon or Exmoor.Why there should be this one would like to be able to trace a continuous five samples plus a number of charred cereal deposit of burnt grain in a post-hole is a question development from the first arrival of Mesolithic grains have been sent to the Scottish Universities that needs thinking about, especially as this was hunter-gatherers in the area, through the Environmental Research Centre (SUERC) for all the organic matter in this particular hole, while prehistoric period to the arrival of Christianity to radiocarbon dating. Anne and Martin Plummer the neighbouring and inter-cutting post-hole medieval settlement, to the arrival and departure have agreed to write a report on the flints from contained a very large quantity of oak charcoal. of the railway and beyond up to the present day. the site and Sue Watts has agreed to report on Furthermore the grain was concealed beneath a In there somewhere there will be a place for the the saddle-quern that we found in 2004. Not yet flat stone in the base of the hole. Holworthy Farm settlement, and hopefully its scheduled are the plant macro-fossils (seeds, plant As for wood, identified species include oak, antecedents and successors. fragments), the “wooden bowl” found in 2004, hazel, willow, hawthorn, ash, birch and alder.The On 2nd September there will be a guided walk the loom-weights and an odd stone tool ( a sliver wooden bowl or platter (?) excavated in 2004 through Parracombe’s archaeology. See Dates for of fine-grained sandstone with a honed edge and was of oak. Among the 21 charcoal samples that your Diary for details. NDAS members surveying a very tall hedgebank. one smooth face) that came from a post-hole. we have had identified, oak and hazel are by far

8 9 Clovelly Dykes Derry Bryant

I recently spent a Sunday cutting back gorse and playing there as a child. The site is a massive clearing bracken at Clovelly Dykes, the Iron-Age enclosure with concentric ring ditches and a large (?) hillfort at Higher Clovelly. The day was central enclosure, and although close to the A39 it organised by Northern Devon Coast and is invisible from the road, and is on private land Countryside Service (01237 423655), who asked (East Dyke Farm). Although it is on flat land, from for volunteers to clear some of the dyke to stop the top of the high banks there is a clear view of infestation by burrowing animals, as part of an the Bristol Channel and Bay. on-going attempt to preserve the site. About 15 In super sunny weather, we had a great day, volunteers attended, including Stephen Hobbs with picnic and bonfire, and cleared quite a large (Hartland archivist), who spent many happy times area of overgrown bushes/gorse, etc.

Double post-hole within the circumference of the (probable) roundhouse. The grain came from beneath the flat stone in the right-hand hole excavated by Clare Chope.

the most frequently occurring, as one might association with the mass of pottery found in expect, but ash occurs only once. This is 2005. A dated deposit found beneath the stone interesting when you consider that ash is a very bank makes it probable that the enclosure was common tree in the local landscape today and built about 1600 BC, and since the 2003 pot must that it makes very good firewood. I have recently have been left when the site was abandoned, it discussed this with Dr Judith Cannell, an expert on seems we can narrow the period of occupation woodland archaeology, who suggests that ash down to about 200 years. flourishes in open conditions such as hedgerows, For the purposes of writing up and interpreting which were probably not a feature of the local the site, we need to be able to place it in both a Bronze Age landscape. broad regional setting and in a local context With the financial support of Exmoor National where funerary monuments such as Chapman Park, the samples for radiocarbon dating were Barrows are a major feature, but nearby sent to Glasgow in February. The results, which settlement remains on South Common are have just come back, help to tighten the date possibly more meaningful in terms of landscape range for the features of the site, currently homing development. For the purpose of such in on 1300 - 1400 BC, ie. Middle Bronze Age, as interpretation, we need to return to the was suggested by the pottery that was unearthed Parracombe Project which got somewhat sidelined in 2003. In fact a fragment of hazel charcoal when Holworthy came along, but which offers a found immediately beneath the 2003 pot is dated way to assess the landscape as a whole. For this, Clovelly Dykes from the air, 20th July 1996. (Photograph by Frances Griffith, ; Copyright at around 1400 BC, as is charcoal found in see below… Reserved. Ref: DAP/AAO11)

10 11 Mesolithic flint working at Morte Point David and Judy Parker

It occurred to me that NDAS members might defensive function. In fact it is suggested that the like to go and visit the site, (there was in fact an internal enclosures with their relatively slight NDAS visit some years ago, I believe), and to this banks represent corrals for stock, perhaps for end I contacted the farmer and have arranged for some seasonal gathering such as autumn a visit by NDAS members for Sunday 18 June at slaughter. 2pm. We would meet at East Dyke Farm, to find No excavation has ever taken place at Clovelly which take the A39 towards Kilkhampton and Dykes so there is no direct chronological Bude, turning right towards Clovelly at the evidence, but a comparable site at Milber Down Clovelly roundabout. Just down the road a few near was partly excavated in the yards turn right into the farm yard and park. Wear 1930s by Aileen Fox and C.A.Raleigh-Radford suitable footwear and clothing. Cressida Whitton and produced evidence of late Iron Age from the County Archaeological Service has kindly occupation. The Milber Down site is similarly agreed to be our guidefor the afternoon. situated on relatively level ground and is laid out Please contact me on 01769 572963 if you as concentric earthworks with broad spaces wish to join in, as the farmer would like to know between. Lady Aileen Fox characterised Milber how many people are likely to turn up! Down and Clovelly Dykes as characteristically south-western hillforts, and it was she who Surprisingly unknown to many people in North suggested that the purpose of the broad internal Devon, Clovelly Dykes is perhaps the most divisions had to do with the segregation and impressive prehistoric structure in the area or protection of flocks and herds. indeed in the whole of Devon. The earthwork is Interestingly it was in the area of Clovelly situated about a mile from Clovelly village right Dykes that H. Eggerton-Godwin spent many beside the A39, the road to Clovelly village cutting hours field-walking in the 1930s and 40s, during across the east side of the ramparts and which time he collected very large numbers of segregating part of the original enclosure. flints, very many of them Bronze Age in David Parker(right) and the National Trust Warden examining eroding head deposits on Morte Point. Generally known as a hillfort, the fact that it is not character. Whether this has anything to say visible from the road because hidden by a hedge about the origin or the age of the site is Baggy Point, forming the northern arm of would probably include elk, roe deer, pig and and by the buildings of East Dyke Farm indicates impossible to determine at present. The site itself Bay, is well known for its flint scatters. Morte beaver, and possibly the people would travel to that this is not an imposing earthwork such as is of course a scheduled ancient monument and Point at the north end of Bay the coast to find shellfish and crustaceans to Hembury hillfort in and is unlikely to permission from English Heritage would be however, is less well known. NDAS members supplement their diet. be in any way defensive. The monument, which required to do any work in it, but it would be David and Judy Parker have recently made some We have recently picked up a range of worked covers over 8 hectares, is laid out on a flat site very satisfying to know its true age. significant finds flints emerging from eroding head deposits at and consists of concentric sub-rectangular Morte Point. At present they amount to well over enclosures with a lesser enclosure in the centre Bibliography: Sometime around 10,000 to 5,400 years ago 100 pieces, some 60 of which have been and further minor subdivisions between the major Fox, A. (1952) Hillslope Forts and related Mesolithic people were knapping flints for tools examined and identified with perhaps the same banks on the west side. The major banks have earthworks in South-West and South and implements at Morte Point. These people led again awaiting examination. All the flints with accompanying ditches, and there are several Wales, Archaeological Journal Vol. 109, 1-22. a life of hunting and gathering in a period of remaining cortex have originated from sea-worn entrances, some ancient some modern. The Fox, A. (1996) Prehistoric Hillforts in Devon, woodland expansion following the last glaciation. pebbles and could have been gathered from ancient entrances are not the elaborate Devon Books. Sea levels were lower than at present and what beaches or possibly from raised beach deposits hornworks seen on hillforts farther east, but are Griffith, F. (1988) Devon’s Past: An Aerial View, are now coastal headlands would then have been formed at times of higher sea levels. We have not simple constructions, again suggesting no Devon Books. hills overlooking a coastal plain. Animals hunted found any evidence of nodular flint being utilised

12 13 The Palaeolithic Rivers Project

at Morte Point so far.The nearest known surface material from which the tools were struck. The On Sunday 7th May, a small number of NDAS Pleistocene, successive glaciations and interglacial deposit of nodular flint is located at Orleigh largest number of flints found were just tiny flakes members responded to an invitation from the periods heavily influenced drainage patterns, so Court, some 15 miles to the south. Perhaps this and fragments which at first sight appear University of Reading Archaeology Department that the courses and rates of flow of rivers altered deposit was unknown to the Mesolithic people or unimportant, but this material, known as (publicised at the AGM in March) to join in a considerably over time. Rivers that are now perhaps pebbles from a closer source were debitage, is the waste product from flint guided walk around Ottery-St-Mary. The walk was relatively insignificant, such as the Otter, were at sufficient for their needs. knapping, and shows that the Mesolithic people a public relations exercise on behalf of the earlier periods either broken up in a broad pattern Two flints classed as microdenticulates are actually worked flint at Morte Point. Palaeolithic Rivers of South-West Britain Project of “braided” channels between shifting banks of attributed to the early Mesolithic period 10,000 – Anyone interested is urged to keep a watchful which is funded by the Aggregates Levy sediment or were raging torrents rapidly down- 8,500 BP. As the name suggests, they have very eye open if they visit Morte Point, but to Sustainability Fund through English Heritage. On a cutting through earlier sediments or through the fine denticulations (notches) on one edge, like a remember that digging is prohibited on National very fine May morning we met at the Salston geological base. The evidence of these changes in tiny saw. (Gordon Fisher of ACE suggests, having Trust land. Any surface finds should be handed in Manor Hotel outside where we character and topography is to be found in the tried it, that they were used for skinning Ed.) to Barnstaple Museum for identification. This is far were received by Rachel Young, the organiser and gravel terraces left behind. Such terraces are now Interestingly one is notched on what is described better than taking them home to be eventually Dr Rob Hossfield, who was to be our guide. frequently disguised as gently sloping grassy as the left hand edge, the other being notched on forgotten and lost, resulting in lost knowledge Rob began by pointing out that the study of shelves on the sides of valleys, and it is not until it the right hand edge. Were they used for different and interest for future generations. the Palaeolithic, a period from roughly 700,000 is found worthwhile for the gravel extraction purposes or was there a left handed and right We are indebted to Ann and Martin Plummer years ago to about 40,000 years ago, is different industry to dig into them for aggregate that their handed person at Morte Point? and Rosemary Stewart for the identification and from other archeology, in that stratified deposits nature is exposed. Amongst the other finds were a side scraper, a classification of the flints which are now in the of artefacts are rare and are found exclusively in One of the major aims of the Palaeolithic Rivers number of blades and three cores, these being the charge of the National Trust. caves. For the most part the evidence of human or of South-West Britain Project is to record and date hominin (human ancestor) activity is found in the terraces of the rivers Axe, Exe and Otter and geological rather than cultural deposits, in fact evaluate their archaeological content and

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i * concentration is not at all clear. Since they l Will Writing & Executorship Share Dealing

c apparently date from the Lower Palaeolithic (*Not regulated by the Financial Services Authority) g (about 280,000 years ago), “factory” production n i

s is very unlikely. North Devon has produced very i Head Office: Sterling House, 17 Joy Street, Barnstaple, Devon. EX31 1HE v little evidence, though there was the flint hand- d Tel: 01271 344300 Fax: 01271 342810 Email: [email protected] axe found near Chittlehampton some years ago. A Authorised & Regulated by the Financial Services Authority During the period from 1.6 million years ago Dr Rob Hossfield holding forth on the to around 10,000 years ago, the era known as the Otter flood-plain.

14 15 Lower Palaeolithic chert handaxes from Broom Quarry. (Photo with permission from RAM Museum, Exeter) Exposure of the junction of ancient river gravels with the Otter sandstone.

finds uncovered during quarrying. present flood-plain, a testimony to to the very sand quarry, evidence of the small-scale historic Boxgrove in West Sussex extended the human The purpose of the walk to which we had been considerable changes in sea-level and sand and gravel quarrying operations compared presence in Britain to over 500,000 years, and invited (one of four such walks on the Otter and consequently river level during the Pleistocene. to today’s industrial quarrying. And it was more recently flint handaxes found in ancient river the Exe with invitations sent to schools, colleges Continuing to a bridge over the Otter, we were principally in such small scale quarries that 19th deposits on the Norfolk coast have extended that and local societies) was to provide an able to compare the present rather meagre river century workmen came across artefacts which period to 700,000 years. These finds demonstrate understanding of the Lower and Middle with its 500m wide flood-plain, and in the river they perhaps passed on to archaeologists. the scientific importance of understanding Palaeolithic in the South-West, to interpret the bank we saw deposits of flint and chert cobbles, The walk concluded with a brief demonstration Pleistocene deposits which are frequently the Otter landscape and to introduce some of the such as would have provided material for hand- of flint-knapping and Rob continued to answer source of aggregates for the construction industry. techniques of Palaeolithic geoarchaeology. We axes. The bedrock geology here is Otter questions in a thoughtful, informative manner The Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund was set walked for about two hours, beginning beside a sandstone, on top of which sands and gravels right up until 2.30 when he was due to start all up in 2002 to develop the capacity to manage stream below the hotel where the shelves of have been laid down. As we passed through the over again. Those NDAS members who took part aggregate extraction in order to reduce its impact former river terraces could be seen on either side. grounds of Cadhay House and took to a steep were very appreciative of what had been offered. on the historic and physical environment. Our We then crossed a field dropping from one terrace path, we were able to observe the gravels There is currently great interest in Ice Age Britain area does not attract the aggregate industry, but to another towards the River Otter and the town beneath our feet and in the side of the path – a and the Palaeolithic leading to the setting up of the lessons learnt elswhere in terms of of Ottery St Mary which itself is built on a terrace hollow-way – we could follow the junction the National Ice Age Network. Some years ago recognising potential Palaeolithic find sites could fragment above the present river.The terraces of between the bedrock and the overlying sediments. finds of flint artefacts and butchering waste well apply to the valleys of the Taw and Torridge the Otter can rise to about 100m above the To the south of the path was a small abandoned together with a fragment of hominin bone at and their tributary streams.

16 17 A Fieldwalk at Heath A Mystery at Tawstock Hill, Winkleigh Jim Coulter Janet Daynes

On a prominent site overlooking the at Tawstock stands the picturesque parish church of St. Peter, famed for its wealth of monumental sculpture commemorating former lords of the manor – Fitzwarren, Bourchier and Wrey. To the east of church in the large field below it, the Ordnance Survey map of 1890 marks the site of Almshouses and indicates by a cross nearby – Priory (site of). Also in the same area, Donn’s 18th century map shows the location of the former parsonage known to have been abandoned in the early1800s. Although not marked on any known map, records show that a chapel dedicated to St Field-walking at Hreath Hill Farm Lawrence was consecrated in1400 which, Adapted from OS 1890 survey Last year a flint scatter was found at Heath Hill according to Harding in 1856, ‘was situated Farm to the northwest of Winkleigh Airfield. The below and to the eastward of the Church, and virtually nothing remains visible above ground neighbouring farmer’s wife had picked up although in a ruinous state…….was in existence other than a wall fragment and some humps and numerous examples when walking her dog. Since not many years since’. bumps from which protrudes what appears to be then ACE Archaeology Club has been planning a From what must at some time have looked like building rubble. Presumably the buildings which fieldwalk there. The field name is Twenty Acres; a fairly crowded building site it is remarkable that once stood there have gone the way of so many but fortunately about a 3rd of it is down to pasture, even so it is a huge area to walk. The ground appears to have been in cultivation only since the 19th century, and in recent times there has been little disturbance by deep ploughing. The fieldwalk took place over the last two weekends in April, the ploughed area was divided into a10-metre grid and only a very small section A flint core found on the field-walk. was left unwalked when we ran out of time. There appeared to be two distinct flint scatters in the then there is the possible Bronze age stuff…. field, but this will become much clearer when we Looking at what we have got so far could start analysing the results. mean, it might be possible to suggest that there is The range of flint is extensive with plenty of a settlement nearby, as there are so many tools, débitage (waste flakes) and a few cores scrapers and other processing tools as well as a being found. There are some blades that are far production area. too big to be late Mesolithic, so could possibly be The flints are in the process of being washed early and there are plenty of fine, small late and numbered after which we hope to show the Mesolithic and also Neolithic bits and pieces, assemblage to Mr and Mrs Plummer for including the tiniest scraper that I have ever seen identification. I will report back to NDAS with the and several leaf-shaped arrowheads, one of which results. was found by one of the children involved; and Thanks to NDAS members who came to help. Detail from an oil painting c.1740 of Tawstock Court and Church

18 19 Geophysical Investigation at Tawstock Brian Hummerston

through having been ‘quarried’ for building stone Having been involved with old buildings of possible foundations. Immediately it was when they fell into disuse. professionally for thirty years and working on apparent that on the north side was an area of With the exception of the ‘priory’, the several in the Tawstock area, I listened with high mineralisation 2 metres long by 0.9 metres existence of the other buildings mentioned is well great interest to Jim Coulter talking about his wide and at a depth of 0.7 metres. The response established, even if their exact location is not. In long-time interest in and investigation into the indicated an anomaly that should be 1385 Ralph Basset the lord of the manor of history of Tawstock church and surrounding investigated. Running down the centre-line of Tawstock, granted four acres to the Augustinian area. He spoke of the possibility, based on old the scan was evidence of a foundation broken in Hermits ‘ that they may enclose the same and rumours and on early OS maps, of a chapel and one short area. This at present appears to build there a church and houses for their a priory being in a field near the church, and he indicate a possible structure emanating from the habitation’. The tithe map dated 1842 depicts a produced a copy of an old painting depicting low wall section, but further scans into the field small field and building to the east of the church Our highly acclaimed, historic Restaurant Tawstock Court and church with buildings more will be done to double-check. In close proximity described as ‘Priory House and Garden’. Without with its locally unrivalled ambiance is open or less in the area of interest. Nearby the picture a second area of 30m x 20m has been scanned stating his reasons, Professor Finberg suggested 11am – 2.30pm and 6pm on, serving shows the River Taw with boat and swans. I with a more sensitive GPR device, as it was that the priory was never built but nevertheless its morning coffee, light lunches, snacks, or full asked Jim if I could join in his investigations evident from walking the field that there was a existence remains firmly established in the folklore á la carte. using ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to help considerable scattering of stones under the of the parish.1 Recalling her childhood in the find evidence of any buildings or activity in the grass. 1920s, Anne Avery Wallace noted in her memoirs, Our unique ‘Patrons’ Club’ is very popular field, to which he kindly agreed. Arriving at the The first results show possible foundations of ‘when I was young we used to bring cream teas and we are hosting several special events, site, one could not fail to notice the beautiful a building with material in some sections still in to the poor folk who lived in the almshouses. including ‘Murder Mysteries’, theme setting and tranquillity of the area, even place, whereas elsewhere on the same axis Before that they used to live in houses converted evenings and historical tours! Send us your complete with swans as in the old picture. It was disturbance indicates complete removal of from the old priory a mile from the village and a details to avoid missing out! as if nothing had changed over the years, until a stone. Other foundation features show up mile from the church’. nearby resident remarked, “You know a mains leading off the 600m2 scan block. This area will An oil painting dated around 1740 depicting Evening bookings advised although gas pipe runs through that field?” now be doubled in size and will extend to some Tawstock Court and church also includes a group not always necessary. This was fortunate. Sometimes geophysics larger trees, making a natural boundary to the of buildings on or about the site described above. results are difficult to interpret with whichever scan. With further surface stone being in They have not been identified as yet, but it is system one uses. This chance remark illustrates evidence beyond the area presently targeted, intriguing to speculate whether in this somewhat just how easy it is for something to slip into the further investigation will hopefully bring awkwardly grouped cluster we might have an Tawstock to Judhael of who gave the tithes picture which potentially could show up as interesting results. Further interest is provided by impression of the almshouses, priory or chapel. from it to the priory of St Mary Magdalene in possible foundations on a scan. You can imagine the fact that in the same field are the remains of Clearly more desk and fieldwork will be required Barnstaple. At a later date Tawstock was divided, the ripple of mirth at the operator’s expense demolished almshouses, providing additional to clear up the mystery. one third going to Buckland Priory in Somerset when, upon excavation, a plastic pipe turns up! material for interpretation. (Thorn and Thorn 1985). Although the –stock Walking the site with me, Jim pointed out the 1. Note: H.P.R.Finberg. Devon and Cornwall Notes element in the name has fundamentally an remains of a low section of wall incorporated and Queries, xxi (1941), p.348 agrarian significance (originally “outlying farm”), it into a boundary. This gave us a good starting is very interesting to make comparisons with point, since a few stones and small nettle- The religious connections of Bishop’s Tawton and , and , all of which covered mounds extended from the boundary Tawstock are intriguing. The place name evidence had priories. Related examples in the county into the adjacent field. Using the ground- suggests that Tawton and Tawstock were in origin would be Stoke (St Nectan), Stoke Canon, Stoke penetrating radar device, which is very good for joined in a single estate. In 1086 (Domesday) Abbot; and elsewhere in England the element accessing rough ground and vegetation-covered Tawton was held by the Bishop of Exeter, while stock/stoke frequently has an ecclesiastical areas, a 10m x 8m grid was set out, which, the Tawstock was a King’s manor. Henry I granted association. (Ed.) results indicated, encompassed the major extent

20 21 Lundy Studies Exploring Archaeology (XArch) David and Judy Parker A 3-year community archaeology project funded by Heritage Lottery Fund & the University of Exeter.

speakers will be Henrietta Quinnell, who has Project Director: Dr. Howard Williams opportunity to experience archaeological contacts with our Society, Shirley Blaylock Project Manager: Sean Hawken thought, methods and the sciences whilst at the (National Trust) who takes care of the same time increasing our children's awareness The previous well-known Community archaeological aspect of Lundy and Dr. Myrtle of their heritage. Landscapes Project (CLP) was concerned with Ternstrom, the Lundy historian. increasing public participation in landscape Remember, all events are free so if your There are three other talks on the marine and archaeology and the sciences. While highly community or local school would like to be freshwater ecology of Lundy and three more on successful in this regard, the project faced two involved, then please contact: the terrestrial ecology of the island. challenges. First, how to engage large numbers The cost is £15 per person which covers of people in a greater understanding of their Sean Hawken (Xarch Project Manager) coffee, a buffet lunch, tea and a copy of the own 'backyard archaeology'? Second, how is it Archaeology Department Symposium proceedings. The closing date for possible for such community projects to Room 317, Laver Building, North Park Road, applications is 1st. August 2005. An application incorporate the complex issues of archaeology University of Exeter EX4 4QE Lying in the Bristol Channel and and a feature of form with further details is available from: into educational packages useful to teachers Tel: 01392 263851 the view from the North Devon coast, Lundy Dave & Judy Parker at when the subject is not officially a part of the [email protected] Island is unique in many ways. The island has 4 Combe Park, , EX34 9NY national curriculum? suffered relatively little disturbance from the Telephone 01271 865311 The new Exploring Archaeology (XArch) modern world, so that the remains of its past are project aims to take these challenges head-on. well preserved. When it was a granite hill above a XArch will offer a unique range of opportunities coastal plain some 9,000 years ago, Mesolithic for Devon communities to become actively hunter-gatherers brought their collections of flint involved in recording and understanding their pebbles here and sat working them on its slopes. Subscriptions own local archaeology and landscapes. This is to Adverts to boost When the sea-level had risen and turned the hill be achieved free of cost (all equipment into an island, people continued to come here. May I remind you that annual subscriptions of Income provided, including geophysics) through a Bronze Age pottery has been found, as well as £16 per adult member, £24 per couple and £5 per programme of locally held indoor workshops As you have probably noticed, the newsletter now dwellings and field-systems. In the early Christian student member became due on 1st April. On and outdoor fieldwork events for researching an contains some small adverts which help towards era, the island was a place of retreat, and a receipt of your subscription I shall send you your agreed local topic. In addition, XArch will create printing costs. The cost for a 1/4 page advert in number of memorial stones inscribed in Latin bear membership card. Subscriptions (cheques payable a low-cost, explicitly Devon-based booklet on one issue is £7.50, and for ? page is £15.00. witness to this occupation. Evidence of a human to NDAS/NDRA) should be sent to Jane Green, 5 methods of archaeological fieldwork and desk- presence is continuous from the medieval period Chambercombe Park Terrace, Ilfracombe EX34 If you would like to place an advert yourself, or based research. As a result, participants will to the present and the remains of a German 9QW. could approach a local business for sponsorship, have the basic archaeological and research skills Heinkel bomber is a relic of a period of warfare please let the Newsletter Editor know on 01271 Thank you to all those members who have paid and tools needed to record their own local not so long ago. 866662. promptly and to those who pay by standing order. heritage. This will enable them not only to With this wealth of archaeological interest in I need to point out however, that a number of contribute to public resources, but to present Every little helps! mind, NDAS members may wish to learn that an people have not amended their standing order their findings in an end-of-project publication. interesting one-day Symposium is being organised mandate since the membership subscription went Equally, schools and colleges are also targeted by “The Lundy Field Society” at the Peter Chalk up last year. Please may I ask you to check that with workshops designed to support a theme- Centre in the University of Exeter on 23 your standing order mandate is up to date, so that based approach to learning, whereby September 2006, at which NDAS members are I don’t have to write to you asking for more archaeology will provide a medium for the welcome. money! Thank you! delivery of a range of linked learning objectives. A variety of talks have been arranged to These workshops provide children with the include archaeology and history, Among the Jane Green

22 23 Victoria County History: Exmoor Project South Molton Museum Reborn Anne Todd Lalla Merlin

Project Team: 7th June with Stephanie Knight, ENPA A £48,000 injection of lottery money was just the Throughout the museum, from the new red Dr Robert Dunning, Somerset VCH Countryside Archaeological Adviser. rejuvenating shot in the arm that South Molton carpet at the entrance to the “Please do touch” Dr Spencer Dimmock, Exmoor EPE Project Museum needed to make it the dynamic, vibrant, signs on the replica stocks in the children’s area, it • Desertion Project: A further team of volunteers Rob Wilson-North, Exmoor NPA community-interactive place it is rapidly is evident the winds of change have been blowing were chosen to investigate the desertion of Sue Parkman, Exmoor NPA becoming. favourably. Displays have been re-interpreted to various farmsteads within the project area. This Anne Todd, Exmoor EPE Project, Volunteer The new Children’s Area, with its bright carpet, be fresh and eye-catching; many of them, such as will involve the surveying and recording of Group Leader display of toys and schoolroom artefacts and the railway display and the cider press landscape features together with research Aretha George, Education & Skills Manager, ceiling painted with blue-sky and clouds, is the presentation, are computer presentations. At the undertaken at the Records Office. A training day EPE Project site of regular, hugely popular story-telling other extreme there is an extract in Anglo-Saxon will take place on 15th June with Rob Wilson- sessions, craft workshops and costumed role- from the poem ‘The Dream of the Rood’ on our North and Spencer Dimmock. So far….. playing events. The opening exhibition, ‘The Green Saxon font. Once the training is complete, the volunteers In March an inaugural meeting was held at Man and the Roots of Perception’ provided will be placed in groups of 3 or 4 and will carry on Museum Opening Times: Exmoor House, Dulverton to introduce those who opportunities for workshops, drama and story- themselves the recording and surveying of their Monday 10.30 – 4.00 had shown an interest in the VCH Project. The telling events, while a session on Easter traditions various projects. This information will be placed in Tuesday 10.30 - 4.00 meeting was extremely well attended and resulted kept us all in mythological mode as we explored a database for use in the final publication by Rob Wednesday closed in nearly 40 people signing up to become the story of Eostre and the Hare in the Moon. Dunning. Thursday 10.30 – 4.00 volunteers on the Project. The museum’s modest archaeology collection Friday closed In April the VCH volunteers attended an has been redisplayed to great advantage on black Saturday 10.30 – 4.00 induction at Exmoor House with myself and Sally cloth, which is a perfect foil for clay pipes, spindle Webber, ENPA Volunteers’ Leader. whorls, pot fragments and flint tools alike. There is Tel: 01769572951 In early May Rob Wilson-North, Spencer a small archaeology collection in the Children’s Dimmock and myself discussed various ideas for Area, complete with fragments of an erotic clay projects which resulted in the following: pipe, a bisque doll’s head and a lead piglet. We will soon have on display a silver medieval • Farmsteads Project: A team of volunteers were huntsman’s whistle, found locally, which has just chosen to undertake the recording of various been authenticated by the British Museum. farmsteads within the project area. Training for A programme of outreach events is under way. Website this took place on Wednesday 17th May at Handling collections are taken to local schools, Cloggs Farm and involved the discussion of Trevor Dunkerley of Combe Martin has created a and also to retirement homes as a basis for various types of farm buildings and their uses; new website for local historical and archaeological reminiscence work. The whole community is measuring, sketching and photographing the groups to publicise their activities. NDAS has an invited to take an active part in our exhibitions: buildings including doorways, windows and any information page on the new site which you can children from the local junior school displayed interesting features inside and out. see on HYPERLINK "http://www.histarc- incredibly imaginative artwork for the Green Man hands.co.uk/" www.histarc-hands.co.uk • Green Lanes Project: Another team of Exhibition, and an exhibition by the Local History volunteers were chosen to undertake the and Archive Group on South Molton’s Peace We hope to keep the site updated with our ongoing recording of a number of Public Rights of Way. Celebrations to mark the end of the Crimean War activities. Meanwhile, Alison Mills has been working The ENPA Rangers noticed the damage caused is being put up as I write. Literature on the hugely at setting up our own website. She is a very busy by 4x4’s, motor cycles and other off-road successful Green Man exhibition is available on person, and would no doubt welcome some vehicles and felt it was essential that the lanes application to the museum: assistance with the job. Contact her at the Museum were recorded before too much damage [email protected]. of Barnstaple and North Devon on 01271 346747. occurred. A training day has been arranged for Green lanes or hollow ways like this are vulnerable.

24 25 Hatherleigh Moor: PASt Explorers Dates for Your Diary Update Kids and Finds on the Web Abridged from Current Archaeology No. 201, p. 457

We have previously reported on the discovery by The Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) has just North Devon Archaeological Monday 26th June - Saturday 16th July: Deborah Laing-Trengove of fragments of Roman launched a new educational website for children. Society Excavations at Mount Folly, Bigbury on Sea. tile near a stream on Hatherleigh Moor. In Called “PASt explorers”, it is aimed at children Volunteers enrol with Eileen Wilkes, Archaeology Sunday 18th June, 2.00pm: A guided walk Spring 2005 NDAS members assisted with a aged 7-11 and their teachers, parents and carers. & Historic Environment Group, School of around Clovelly Dykes. To book, call Derry Bryant fieldwalk during which many more fragments of The website aims to introduce archaeology and Conservation Sciences, Bournemouth University, on 01769 572963. Roman tile and brick were found together wth archaeological finds in a fun, interesting way that Talbot Campus, Poole, BH12 5BB, suggestions of a kiln. In recent months John is relevant in the classroom. It includes: the virtual Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd July, 10.00am [email protected]. Allen (formerly of the RAM Museum, now of Anglo-Saxon village of West Mucking (Essex), a onwards: Field Boundary Survey at Parracombe. Sunday 16th July: Archaeology Fair at Beer Exeter Archaeology) together with the Finds virtual archaeological survey, a virtual fieldwork Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd July, Head, East Devon. Excavations and other Liaison Officer for Devon has visited the site and planning game called “Pack your Bag”, and 10.00am onwards: Field Boundary Survey at attractions. DAS will be supporting this event. taken away material for closer examination. A access to the PAS finds database for researching Parracombe. Volunteers welcome. For details and note is to appear in the Proceedings of the real archaeological discoveries. Sunday 16th July: DAS Field Meeting. Silchester. to volunteer contact June Aiken on 01598 Devon Archaeological Society. Meanwhile on the There are guides for young learners on each Visit to the ongoing excavations with Prof. 763316. other side of the Moor another tile has been archaeological period with information about the Michael Fulford and a possible afternoon visit to found, suggesting that this industrial site might most common types of archaeological finds, plus a Saturday 2nd September, 10.30am - Reading Museum. Cost: £18. have been quite extensive. SouthWest Water say guide to the Treasure Act and what to do if you 3.00pm: An archaeological guided walk round Friday 25th - Sunday 27th August: DAS that they need to renew some pipes across the find something of archaeological interest. There is Parracombe. Meet at the DCC gravel storage area, Weekend Study Trip to Cambridgeshire. Set off Moor. The work will entail a watching-brief. also a teacher’s homepage. The website contains Higher Bodley SS671458 (250 yards off the A39 Friday morning, with an afternoon visit to the great illustrations and shows the difference one on the road to Hunters Inn). Bring a packed lunch. Museum of Anthropology & Archaeology in person’s finds can make to what we know about For further details and to book, phone Terry Green Cambridge where we will be guided through the past. on 01271 866662. HOLIDAY CHALET collections relevant to the forthcoming weekend. Devon Archaeological Society Other sites to be visited include Flag Fen; Grimes Bucks Cross, North Devon The website is at Graves, West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village. Numbers 2 Bed chalet (sleeps 4) on holiday park. www.pastexplorers.org.uk For DAS Field Meetings please book with Janet restricted to 35. Deposit of £50. Glorious sea views of Bideford Bay from chalet. You can log on and discover what Cambridge, 20 Devon Terrace, , PL3 4JD, 4 miles from Clovelly, on coastal footpath. 30 mins to surfing beaches. has been found near you. Tel: 01752 669737, and make cheques payable to Sunday 10th September: DAS Field Meeting. ‘Devon Archaeological Society’. Please send Durrington Walls. Henrietta Quinnell will Lounge/diner, kitchen area, bath/shower, individual cheques for each visit. accompany us to this important site, where Prof. 1 double 1 twin bedroom. Large sun deck with Mike Parker-Pearson will be our guide and give an panoramic view of sea: Lundy, , Croyde. Sunday 11th June: DAS Field Meeting. Tamar update on the excavations. Cost: £18. Heating, linen, electricity included. Boat Trip from Sutton to Morwellham. Numbers TV/DVD/microwave. limited to 40. Cost: £8. Exmoor National Park Park facilities (April to October) inc 2 pools, Sunday 18th June: DAS Field Meeting. Medieval bar, restaurant, takeaway, tennis, entertainment, Saturday 3rd June, 11.00am: A Walk through Bristol and Bristol Museum. Cost: £14.50. shop, childrens’ entertainment Time: An Exmoor Society walk looking at land Also available off season – great base Saturday 24th June, 10.30am - 5.30pm: management through the centuries. £2.00 for walking/fishing/golfing holidays. Archaeology in Devon, a day meeting at the donation. Meet two Gates SS765433. Enquire for details. Barnfield Theatre, Exeter. DAS members £17, non- Walking boots and weatherproof clothing Contact: Mrs D.Bryant 01769 572963 members £19. Tickets from Val Barns telephone: essential. Bring picnic. For information phone Email: [email protected] 01837 840123, email: [email protected] 01398 323335.

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