Irregular aggregate field system and stone hut circle 755m north east of Dunnabridge Pound Farm

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.

The irregular aggregate field system and stone hut circle 755m north east of Dunnabridge Pound Farm survive comparatively well. A number of similar settlements and field systems survive on this part of Dartmoor and together they provide an important insight into the character of settlement and land use on the fringes of the more substantial coaxial field systems.

Details

The monument includes an irregular aggregate field system and stone hut circle situated on a west facing slope of Laughter Tor, overlooking the valley of the West Dart River. The irregular aggregate field system is defined by a series of sinuous low rubble banks standing up to 0.45m high, some of which are lynchetted and which together form at least eight fields, which have been added over a period of time. The stone hut circle sits within the southern field and survives as a circular platform standing up to 0.6m high.

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:

34463

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
Title: Duchy Farms Survey - Brimpts Farm Source Date: 1988 Author: Publisher: Surveyor: 1:10000 plan

End of official list entry

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