The Archaeology of the South-West Reinforcement Gas Pipeline, Devon

Archaeological work ahead of pipeline construction in East and South Devon led to the excavation of over 30 sites spanning the earlier Neolithic to early modern times. Early features included a wide scatter of pits dating to the Neolithic and Beaker periods, and evidence for Middle Bronze Age land division in the Otter valley and South Devon. Iron Age activity was relatively uncommon but included iron smelting near Dartington in South Devon. A Roman hillslope enclosure was found close to the River Dart, and an open settlement engaging in pewter manufacture close to the River Avon. There was also a medieval sunken outbuilding near Powderham containing charred cereals (believed to be a first for Devon), as well as a cob linhay (outbuilding) relating to the mapped 19th-century rural landscape near Exton. Although none of the sites was particularly rich in artefacts, more than 50 radiocarbon dates have added considerably to our understanding of the changes in human activity, land use and environment.