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of north Devon
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WEST YEO
Archaeology Projects (external)
West Yeo Farm - Report on the first weeks investigation -Derry Bryant
Report on the investigation - Link
Report on the second week of investigation - Link
Report for investigations up to December 2009 - Link
Report for investigations Spring 2010 - Link
WEST YEO FARM – WITHERIDGE Week beginning 15 June 2009
A group of members took part in a geophys survey at West Yeo Farm over 5 days in June.
The aim of the survey was twofold:
a) a training exercise to introduce members to the practicalities of using
the Society’s TR earth resistance
meter. This involved setting out grids with tapes/ranging poles, and using
an optical square to obtain right
angles. Members learned how to create a datum point and triangulate to
a base line. Each member took
part in grid layout and walked with the meter, taking data readings.
b) the farm owner Kate Palmer was interested to find
the remains of the original farmhouse which had
burned down in the late 19th century – believed to be located just
behind the current farmhouse.
It seemed to make sense to carry out our first foray into earth resistance surveying on a “known feature”, so that we could check our results against something tangible.
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The geophys survey was carried out on part of the lawned area at the front of the house and into the adjacent field. It was believed that the remains of the old house had been buried under the lawn and a platform built up over it, as a base for the new house, but to the naked eye there was a visible linear structure in the lawn with a sharp return which may be the outline of either a garden or house wall.
Grid layout
Initially 3 grids were lad out to cover this area, and walked East-West. It was then decided to extend the survey, as a “feature” appeared in the first set of geophys results of grid 2 in the field, which appeared to extend beyond the grid. We therefore explored this possibility with grid 4. On consultation with the previous owner and looking at the old maps, it seemed that this feature could be an old drain, which may be worthy of a small trial excavation.
We then extended the survey area further into the field (South) to take in two obvious parallel features running along the rise in the field and adjacent to grid 1?thought to be either an old trackway or hedgeline). We were hoping to get some nice results on the geophys from this.
Results
The “wall” feature in the garden shows intermittently on the
results , with the corner return visible.
It is anticipated that some excavation of the corner of the wall and parts
of the wall length could be done to test the structure/nature of its use.
The parallel lines on the hill rise show clearly on the geophys to the
South: what they represent could only actually be revealed through excavation.
Bob Shrigley had spent a lot of time learning how to set out grids, teaching members in the field, and sorting out how to download data from the equipment to the computer, as well as sourcing equipment such as tapes, strings etc. Many thanks Bob for your hard work and being so thorough!
Results -1
Bob sent me his data results and I had a go at interpreting these using “Snuffler” software which was downloaded from the internet. The results you see are my first attempts at doing this and I am sure we can get a clearer picture with more practice, it is possible to “create” features with the software, so hopefully practice will improve things. However, as an initial exercise I think we did pretty well and we are looking forward to doing plenty more. To have a laptop available on site to download data on the same day would be much more convenient than waiting until we get home – to this end, the Society has applied for some funding from the Council for British Archaeology Challenge Funding scheme. Watch this space..
Results -2
Future Geophys
Following discussions with the previous owner of the farm, there had also
been an old barn and some farm cottages with cobbled yards in the vicinity,
and the next intention will be to use the earth resistance equipment again
to locate the outline of these, and maybe relocate the cobbled yard if
possible.
Excavation
Cobbled “patio”
Set into the sloping lawn at the front of the house was a small area of
cobbled paving – now used as a patio. Members cleared it of grass
and cleaned it back to expose a well made, virtually undamaged cobbled
surface which appears to continue to each side under the lawn East-West.
The wall sides of the patio were faced with modern stone walling and there
was a modern concrete bench across the far end for seating. Inset at the
South edge of the cobbles was a gulley made of the same cobbles, running
East-West with some stones perpendicular to the main floor, to create
a drain effect. The excavated area was extended slightly into the lawn
to reveal topsoil with some small finds: nails, glazed pottery sherd/glass/coal/lime
mortar. This area was believed to be associated with the original farmhouse,
but whether it was at the front or the rear of the property is not possible
to tell at this time. We will probably excavate this area more fully.
It was noted that a similar area of cobbles exists in one of the stables
next to the cider house.
Flints
While we were working at West Yeo a neighbour brought in a collection
of worked flints which had been collected on adjoining land. These had
had been identified and recorded by Anne and Martin Plummer, who produced
a report in 2006. They included Neolithic and Bronze Age tools, scrapers,
an awl and an arrow head. Flint scatters and tools had also been reported
by M.Dyer of the Exeter Field Unit in 1993/1994, in fields SSW of the
farm, as part of the Devon Culm Measures rapid archaeological survey (ref.
HER).
Further work to be carried out by NDAS
Fieldwalking:
It is planned to undertake some gridded field walking at the end of July
and again in Spring (March?) 2010, to fit in with the farm’s ploughing
programme. This may include a walk with metal detectors.
Hedge/boundary survey
It is planned to carry out a survey of old hedges/boundaries at some stage.
Geophys
To survey the area of the old barn and cottages and the drain feature
identified in grid 2.
Excavation
The “wall” feature in the front garden and cobbled area
Earthwork survey
The causeway across marshy ground beside the Little Dart river. It is
planned to undertake a drawing survey of the causeway leading to the river
– this may be the last remnants of the old South Molton to Witheridge
road.
Building Recording
It is possible we may be able to undertake some building recording of
the old linhay/engine house etc
Thanks:
Thanks go to all who took part in the training week, we had an enjoyable
week with fair weather except for one rainy afternoon. Our grateful thanks
go to Kate and Robert, the current owners of West Yeo Farm, who made us
very welcome and are very enthusiastic about our presence and the future
project at West Yeo.
Derry Bryant, July 2009