MMO3122 - Post-medieval ridge and furrow east of Slade Bridge (Monument)

A small area of ridge and furrow can be seen as earthworks on aerial photographs of the 1950s adjacent to Great Common at circa SS 8592 3012. The earthwork banks are on average 3 metres apart, and cover a small triangular area of about 1500 square metres, the northern end of the earthworks abutting the former field boundaries of New Mill at 90 degrees. This may support the interpretation that the ridge and furrow is associated with the New Mill complex as marked on the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map of 1890. However, the function of the earthworks remains uncertain. It is unclear from the aerial photographs available to the survey whether the ridge and furrow is limited to the visible extents. If so, it may be evidence for a small orchard. If not. And it continues further eastwards onto the commons, it could be evidence for abandonment of larger scale cultivation. The banks cannot be seen on later aerial photographs and the state of preservation is unknown. [1-3] The features described sit within the small land parcel labelled 652 on the East Anstey Tithe Map. The Apportionment names this land "Collier's Moor", within "Blackaton", stating it is used as pasture. It was under the ownership of Mary Ann Franklin and occupied by William Hill. [4] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [5]