MMO3788 - Medieval field system east of Shoulsbarrow (Monument)

The remains of a system of medieval strip fields extend east from Shoulsbarrow to Shoulsbarrow Common. The fields are defined by curving parallel lynchets and are visible as earthworks on aerial photographs, although some are now in woodland and some may have been levelled. The whole system is centred at SS 6962 4017 but two concentrations survive. In comparison with other fields in the vicinity, it is likely that the fields were once continuous. The two concentrations of lynchets, which extend over several modern fields, are centred at SS 6950 4017 and SS 6980 4008. The relict fields were probably part of an infield-outfield system where the outfield was usually an area of poorer grassland or moorland, and the infield was an area of intensly cultivated strip fields. The strip lynchets form part of an extensive system of lynchets around the settlements and farms in Challacombe parish (see MMO1215). [1-3] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [4]