Promoting awareness of the archaeology and history of north Devon
Promoting awareness of the archaeology and history of north Devon
A Fieldwalk at Heath Hill, Winkleigh -Janet Daynes (Newsletter No 11 2006) See also ACE
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Last year a flint scatter was found at Heath Hill Farm to the northwest of Winkleigh Airfield. The neighbouring farmer’s wife had picked up numerous examples when walking her dog. Since then ACE Archaeology Club has been planning a fieldwalk there. The field name is Twenty Acres, but fortunately about a third of it is down to pasture. Even so it is a huge area to walk. The ground appears to have been in cultivation only since the 19th century, and in recent times there has been little disturbance by deep ploughing.
The fieldwalk took place over the last two weekends in April. The ploughed area was divided into a10-metre grid and only a very small section was left unwalked when we ran out of time. There appeared to be two distinct flint scatters in the field, but this will become much clearer when we start analysing the results.
The range of flint is extensive with plenty of tools, débitage (waste flakes) and a few cores being found. There are some blades that are far too big to be late Mesolithic, so could possibly be early and there are plenty of fine, small late Mesolithic and also Neolithic bits and pieces. These Include the tiniest scraper that I have ever seen and several leaf-shaped arrowheads, one of which was found by one of the children involved.
And then there is the possible Bronze age stuff….
Looking at what we have got so far could mean, it might be possible to
suggest that there is a settlement nearby, as there are so many scrapers
and other processing tools as well as a production area. The flints are
in the process of being washed and numbered after which we hope to show
the assemblage to Mr and Mrs Plummer for
identification. I will report back to NDAS with the results.
Thanks to NDAS members who came to help.