NHER 69899 (Monument record) - Medieval to post-medieval and undated remains

August 2024. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of proposed development site (Fields 3 and 4).
This survey identified numerous linear anomalies likely to represent infilled ditches, the majority of which are aligned roughly north-west to south-east or north-east to south-west. These include a number of responses that clearly correspond with former field boundaries shown on the Yelverton Tithe map (S1). Several also coincide with linear cropmarks visible on aerial photographs of these field – all of which are part of a group of probable medieval to post-medieval field boundaries recorded as NHER 52397. The majority of the other linear anomalies also probably represent features of medieval to post-medieval date - either boundaries associated with the late post-medieval field system that had been lost by the 19th century or elements of an earlier, but related system of land division. These include a band of predominantly north-west to south-east aligned responses in the southern half of the site.
Linear responses of a more uncertain date and nature include a north-east to south-west aligned anomaly crossing the central and eastern parts of the site and two perpendicular anomalies to the south. It is though noted that these could be land drains.
Various scattered discrete anomalies may represent pit-type features, with the larger responses potentially associated with infilled quarries.
Areas of magnetic disturbance and isolated dipolar 'spikes' were probably caused by ferrous or fired material on or close to the surface, most likely modern debris.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 16 June 2026.

January-February 2026. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed development site (Area 2; Trenches 38-54).
This phase of work saw the investigation of a relatively small area in the north-east part of the site. The 17 trenches excavated at this location revealed several ditches and a number of pits. The latter included several fairly large features interpreted as probable extraction pits, the majority of which coincided with discrete anomalies identified by the preceding geophysical survey. One produced two Roman pottery sherds but these were potentially residual, as a nearby probable extraction pit was found to contain a small, mixed assemblage of Late Saxon, Saxo-Norman and medieval pottery. Two samples taken from the fills of this pit produced little in the way of charred plant macrofossils or other debris. Other finds from these features included a single lava quern fragment, a piece of fired clay, a fragment of undiagnostic ceramic building material, a cattle bone and an iron nail.
A number of smaller pits were also recorded, although these were all of uncertain date, finds being limited to two Late Neolithic/Bronze Age flint scrapers and two undiagnostic prehistoric flint flakes.
The ditches produced no dating evidence, although two can be seen to correspond with former boundaries shown on the Yelverton Tithe map (S1). These had also been identified by the preceding geophysical survey.
Unstratified finds were limited to a single lava quern fragment.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 16 June 2026.