Archaeology of the Upper Plym Valley
Date
1991Author
Robertson, Jennifer G.
Metadata
Abstract
The Upper Plym Valley, Dartmoor, containing an exceptional range and
number of field monuments, has already attracted considerable attention
from archaeologists and antiquarians. However, previous studies have
tended to focus on a single aspect of land use. Thus, the total landscape
survey, commissioned in 1982 by English Heritage, and executed by
Edinburgh Archaeological Services under the direction of Mr. Roger' Mercer,
of an area of 25km2, provided the first opportunity to assess the
relationships between remains of different periods and between those of
contemporary but different types of land use. The survey provided the
database for this thesis and maps of the whole area and descriptions of
nearly 2000 monuments have been compiled as Appendices.
Analysis of the field evidence is divided into four parts.
Discussion of the prehistoric monuments concentrates on`the variations in
size and structure of the settlement remains, aided by large-scale plans
of over 400 hut-circles. The contrast between seasonal and permanent
occupation and the relationship between the settlements and the
ceremonial and burial sites are considered.
The development of medieval agricultural settlement is traced
through field remains and documentary sources. Evidence was found of
13th century colonization and 14th century desertion, a pattern repeated
elsewhere on Dartmoor, but at least three farms survived into the Post-
Medieval period and use of the valley for pasture may be pushed further
back, at least to Domesday.
Two major Dartmoor industries are also discussed: rabbit- warren ing,
which was practised from the 17th to the 20th centuries, and tin-working,
documented in the valley from the 16th century but possibly originating
in the Bronze Age. The field evidence for both is examined and
interpreted with the aid of contemporary accounts and comparison with
other sites.
Finally the evidence for links between contemporary activities,
particularly tin-working and agriculture, is examined and the main
conclusion to be drawn is that this tract of "marginal" land has been a
much more valuable and widely-used resource than might at first appear.