Irregular aggregate field system, stone hut circles and post-medieval fields on the north-east slope of Cox Tor

Reasons for Designation

Dartmoor is the largest expanse of open moorland in southern Britain and, because of exceptional conditions of preservation, it is also one of the most complete examples of an upland relict landscape in the whole country. The great wealth and diversity of archaeological remains provide direct evidence for human exploitation of the Moor from the early prehistoric period onwards. The well-preserved and often visible relationship between settlement sites, land boundaries, trackways, ceremonial and funerary monuments as well as later industrial remains, gives significant insights into successive changes in the pattern of land-use through time. Elaborate complexes of fields and field boundaries are a major feature of the Dartmoor landscape. Irregular aggregate field systems are one of several methods of field layout known to have been employed in south-west England from the Bronze Age to the Roman period (c.2000 BC-AD 400). They comprise a collection of field plots, generally lacking conformity of orientation and arrangement, containing fields with sinuous outlines and varying shapes and sizes, bounded by stone or rubble walls or banks, ditches or fences. They are often located around or near ceremonial and funerary monuments. They are an important element of the existing landscape and are representative of farming practice over a long period. A substantial proportion of surviving examples are considered worthy of protection.

Despite limited damage, the irregular aggregate field system and eight stone hut circles on the north-east slope of Cox Tor survive comparatively well, the survival of post-medieval field plots providing evidence for agricultural re- use. Important and informative archaeological structures, features and deposits survive intact across the monument and provide an insight into settlement and agricultural practice on the western side of the Moor.

Details

This monument includes an irregular aggregate field system, eight stone hut circles and post-medieval fields situated on the north-east slope of Cox Tor overlooking the valley of the Colly Brook. Seven of the huts are circular in plan and measure between 4.7m and 7m in diameter. The remaining hut is oval and measures 6.5m long by 4.5m wide. The walls of all the huts are composed of stone and earth and measure between 0.3m and 0.7m high. Two of the huts have doorways, two are attached to boundary walls and one lies immediately outside the irregular aggregate field system. The irregular aggregate field system includes four field-plots, defined by stony lynchets and banks standing up to 0.7m high and 1.8m wide. This field system extends over an area of around 2 hectares. The post-medieval field system includes three field-plots defined by stone and earth banks. Ridge and furrow, with an average ridge width of 3.5m, can be identified within the interior of each field.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract. It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features, considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

20394

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Butler, J, Dartmoor Atlas of Antiquities, (1991), 84-5

Other
National Archaeological Record, SX57NW32,
Gibson, A, Single Monument Class Description - Stone Hut Circles, (1987)

End of official list entry

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