Riddipit hull 700m WSW of the northern end of Raddick Lane

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 provides 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. Of more than 600 post-medieval farmsteads recorded on Dartmoor, around 100 are now deserted. Although some of these were established as late as the 18th and 19th centuries, many have their origin as medieval settlements, some perhaps dating back to as early as the 11th century. Those founded in the post- medieval period represent a time in which arable farming increased in popularity on the Moor, resulting in a large number of new farms being built on previously unenclosed moorland. Many of these farms were abandoned after a relatively short time and provide rare examples of planned single period farmsteads. Most deserted post-medieval farmsteads survive as single farmhouses associated with a variety of outbuildings, including: ash houses, barns, cow houses, dairies, hulls, stables, linhays, shippons, cartsheds, dog kennels and lavatories. Other features commonly found with farmsteads include gardens and a farmyard which acted as a focal point for many farming activities. In most cases, deserted post-medieval farmsteads are associated with contemporary field systems, many of which still remain in use for grazing or cultivation. Deserted post-medieval farmsteads will provide information about the developing character of agricultural exploitation within an upland landscape during the historic period, and reflect a response to changing environmental and economic conditions. Surviving examples are relatively rare away from the moorland areas in south west England, and consequently those on Dartmoor provide a major source of evidence for this type of site.

Riddipit hull survives very well and forms an outlying part of a nearby farmstead. Information concerning historic agricultural practices survives within this excellent example of a rare type of storage facility.

Details

The monument includes a hull (a potato cave) forming an outlying part of Riddipit farmstead situated on a steep south facing slope overlooking an unnamed tributary of the River Meavy. The hull survives as a tunnel cut into the steep side of a river bank. Access to the hull is through a granite built doorway measuring 0.73m wide and 1.12m high. A large lintel over the door supports the roof. On the western side of the doorway is a protruding iron bolt and on the inside of the eastern side is a hinge. The door therefore opened inwards. The hull itself is 9.7m long, 1.95m wide and up to 1.8m high. The walls and roof consist of natural subsoil and its orientation is north to south.

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:

22383

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
Devon County Sites and Monuments Register, SX57SE156, (1983)

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