MMO2939 - Two possible post-medieval quarries on Horsen Hill (Monument)

A pair of small irregularly-shaped pits or quarries are visible on aerial photographs as earthworks on the southern edge of Horsen Hill, Exmoor. Centred at approximately SS 7868 3528, the northernmost quarry measures some 16 metres across, while the smaller quarry measures just 10 metres. Neither are depicted on the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map, suggesting they were abandoned prior to publication in 1890. There is no indication as to what material was extracted here. [1-3] As these appear to be similar in type to other features in the area, it is likely that these pits date to the post-medieval, or perhaps the medieval period. [4] A hollow, 11 metres north to south, 9.5 metres east to west and up to 1.2 metres deep, with banks of spoil to the west and east, is the remains of a small stone quarry. Riley only notes one of these pits. [5] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [6]