Site Event/Activity record EEM15032 - An Archaeological Magnetometer Survey: Land at Halscombe Allotment, Exmoor

Substrata were commissioned by the South West Peatland Partnership in 2023 to conduct an archaeological magnetometer survey of land at Halscombe Allotment, Exmoor, specifically an irregular stony mound identified by a previous walkover survey as a potential burnt mound. The survey detected a strong, positive, lenticular-shaped anomaly coinciding broadly with the earthwork feature. The magnetic response recorded, in terms of polarity and magnitude, is normally interpreted as a zone of past heating events, such as hearths or kilns, and is consistent with the interpretation of the earthwork as a possible burnt mound. A point within this larger anomaly exhibited a particularly strong response which may be indicative of extreme heat, or a buried ferrous object, probably of modern date. Peripheral to the mound two curvilinear anomalies may be ditches of uncertain date. Several discrete positive anomalies may be archaeological pits although a natural geological origin is also possible. Seven curvilinear and irregular spreads of positive response are probably natural soil formations however an archaeological derivation cannot be completely discounted.