Coaxial field system and prehistoric settlement 410m west 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, major 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 some of the major features of the Dartmoor landscape. The reaves are part of an extensive system of prehistoric land division introduced during the Bronze Age (c.2000-700 BC). They consist of simple linear stone banks used to mark out discrete territories, some of which are tens of kilometres in extent. The systems are defined by parallel, contour and watershed reaves, dividing the lower land from the grazing zones of the higher moor and defining the watersheds of adjacent river systems. Occupation sites and funerary or ceremonial monuments are often incorporated in, or associated with, reave complexes. Their longevity and their relationship with other monument types provide important information on the diversity of social organisation, land divisions and farming practices amongst prehistoric communities. They show considerable longevity as a monument type, sometimes surviving as fossilised examples in medieval field plans. They are an important element in the existing landscape and, as such, a substantial proportion of surviving examples are considered worthy of protection.

The coaxial field system and prehistoric settlement 410m west of Cox Tor survive well and form part of a particularly well-preserved palimpsest on the lower slopes of Cox Tor. This coaxial field system is the westernmost on the Moor and provides an important contrast to the more developed examples that survive elsewhere.

Details

The monument, which falls into four separate areas of protection, includes a group of coaxial fields and an associated stone hut circle settlement situated on a west facing slope of Cox Tor overlooking much of West Devon and East Cornwall. The coaxial fields form part of the Whitchurch Common coaxial field system and survive as rubble banks leading off at right angles from a terminal reave. At least seven fields survive together with eight stone hut circles, all of which lie in the southern part of the system. The stone hut circles survive as rubble or orthostatic walls each surrounding a circular internal area between 3.5m and 8m in diameter. The surrounding walls measure up to 0.7m high and one hut has a visible doorway.

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:

22361

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
Title: Cox Tor Survey Source Date: 1991 Author: Publisher: Surveyor: 1:2500 plan
MPP fieldwork by S. Gerrard, Gerrard, S., (2000)

End of official list entry

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