ELEVENTH REPORT OF THE DARTMOOR

EXPLORATION COMMITTEE.

ELEVENTH REPORT of the Committee-consisting of Mr. J. S. Amery, the Rev. I. K. Anderson, Mr. R. Burnard, Rev. S. Baring-Gould, Mr. J. D. Pode, Mr. J. Brooking-Rowe, Mr. Basil Thomson, and Mr. R. Hansford Worth-for the purpose of exploring Dartmoor and the Camps in Devon.

Edited by the REV. I. K. ANDERSON.

(Read at Lynton, July, 1906.)

HUT CIRCLE SETTLEMENT AT WATERN OKE.
EXPLORED JULY, 1905.

THIS settlement is situated east of the junction of the River Tavy and Rattlebrook (see Sheet LXXXVIII. S.E.), and commences at a distance of 400 yards from it, and extends for half a mile. The number of hut circles explored was ninety-four and two unexplored. Between 1 and 46 there are distinct traces of connecting walls, as shown on plan. Also between 33 and 36; 37 and 43a; 53, 58, and 57. Hut 12 is a capital example of a hut divided into two rooms by a wall; 17, a triple hut in the form of a trefoil. The huts are generally circular, the notable exceptions being 12, 17, 38a, 36, and 80.

The excavation and planning commenced on 6 June, 1905, and eight diggers were employed, who were encamped near the spot for that purpose.

Several days were spoilt by the rain, and our tents were blown down on two occasions.

Under the shelter of the rocks, midway between 46 and 36, is a small structure which may have been artificial; and between 52 and 61 is an artificial structure like a sentrybox, but we were unable to determine whether it was ancient or modern, hesitating about its destruction, which would have been inevitable.

The exploration was terminated on 27 July.

Charcoal in considerable quantities, much more than usual, was found in most of the huts, with the usual accompanying cooking stones, pottery, and flints. The most interesting find was a small glass bead, blue in colour and semi-opaque, which was dug up about 30 inches below the surface in 57, measuring inch long and in. diameter, with a hole through it longitudinally. This was submitted to Mr. Read at the British Museum, who thus expresses his opinion officially:

·

I think the bead old. It most nearly resembles (1) from Water Newton Hunts, found with Roman remains of the second century or thereabouts; and (2) one from Thebes in Egypt, of no certain period, but doubtless Roman also.

The hut-circle settlement is of crescent shape conforming to the curve of the river, No. 1 at the western end being about 140 feet above the river and about 200 yards from it, whilst the huts at the extreme east are close to the river and both pleasantly situated and sheltered. Those of the western limb are, so to speak, terraced down to 43 and 44, and 55, 56, 57.

The marked entrances of the huts were generally either towards the south or directed towards the river.

Hut 80, which is markedly oblong on plan, is more or less a departure from the circular form, and appears to have been rebuilt or "restored" at some period.

The whole settlement seems to have been intended for occupation in connexion with peaceful pursuits; at least, there are no signs to the contrary.

Hut Circle 1.-A small irregular hut with no apparent

entrance.

The bottom concave and formed entirely of large slabs of stone.

A stone projecting 18 inches was evidently intended as a shelf for some purpose.

The longest diameter was 9 feet from E. to W., from N. to S. 7 feet.

Trace of a wall uphill in N.E. direction leading nowhere.

Hut Circle 1a.-Small circle; entrance on the south side. Very rugged and pit-like.

External diameter, 15 feet; internal, 9 feet, with rocks on the west side.

A wall from N.E. leads in a circular direction south, and

joins Hut Circle 5, with a branch leading in a similar way between 7 and 8.

Found sling stones from river and some pieces of rough quartz.

Hut Circle 2.-A well-made hut. External diameter, 24 feet; internal, 13 feet. Entrance facing S.S.W.

Here were found cooking and pounding stones and some small sling stones. Also flint.

Hut Circle 3.-Well-defined circular hut with a decided sheltered entrance pointing S. by W. External diameter, 32 feet; internal, 11 feet.

There were found pounding and cooking stones and some quartz crystals, some pieces of which were pointed and blunted by use.

Hut Circle 3a.-Unexplored; about 7 feet in diameter, and did not look worth trying. It was left till the last, and then overlooked.

Hut Circle 4.-A very good hut.

Internal diameter, 9 feet. Joined to 4a by a wall.

The entrance on the south side is protected by a curved approach of stones.

There were found here about two dozen stones, rubbers, etc.

Hut Circle 4a.—Small but well made.

Internal diameter, 8 feet; external, 13 feet. The entrance was probably at south. The fire-place was close to the wall on the north side, where there were many burnt stones.

Hut Circle 5.-Very good small circle; internal diameter, 9 feet. Door at S.E. and the fire-place at north.

From the north a wall circling N. to W. joins it to la, enclosing 2, 3, and 4.

Hut Circle 6.-10 feet internal diameter.

Entrance well made on east side. A stone in the centre of floor. The fire-place was on the N.E. side not far from the entrance. This circle was at the top of the clatter, which extends southwards to the river.

Hut Circle 7.-External diameter, 21 feet; internal, 11 feet. A large flat stone extended across the floor on the north side, of which many burnt stones were found indicating fire-place.

Between 7 and 8 (nearer 8) walling is indicated, proceeding north and curving to west, joining the wall which unites 5 to 7a.

Hut Circle 8.-This circle presented an interesting division by boulders separating the N.W. corner into an apartment. Diameter, internal, 12 feet.

Entrance uncertain, but perhaps at south.

Hut Circles 9, 10.-These circles are contiguous and interesting.

On N.W. of 9 is a large flat stone 10 feet in length and the ends 1 feet and 3 feet respectively in breadth. They seem to have been similarly designed with sheltered entrances on south side in each case. Their internal diameters were 10 feet and 13 feet respectively.

In 9 the fire-place was indicated at the north, where many burnt stones were found and large pounding stones.

Hut 10 was not in a very good condition, it having been rather pulled about. A good many stones of the usual character were found in it.

Hut Circle 11.-This is an excellent specimen and in good condition, with high walls 5 feet thick. The entrance on south side, sheltered and well seen, is about 6 feet long and 2 feet 6 inches wide. The internal diameter, 11 feet. It was evidently paved with stones. Here we found a large square rubber, many pieces of clean bright spar, and a large quantity of burnt stones.

Hut Circle 12.-An interesting dwelling, rather shallow, constructed of boulders, with central wall dividing it into two compartments.

West, 9 feet 5 inches; east, 8 feet 4 inches.

Many burnt stones were found, and an entrance seemed to be indicated on the south side of the western compartment.

Hut Circle 13.-Not very satisfactory for exploration. It was composed of large stones which had fallen inwards. The greatest length was from N.W. to S.E., 18 feet; S.W. to N.E., about 12 feet.

Here were found a large pounder and some rubbing stones. Hut Circle 14.-An ordinary hut. Internal diameter, 12 feet, with apparent entrance on east side.

Rubbing and cooking stones found.

Between 14 and 15 there is a small circular pit of stones about 6 feet in diameter, which was evidently used as a fire-place, for it was burnt in several places.

Hut Circle 15.-A good circle with large flat stones for floor. Internal diameter, 12 feet.

The entrance, 3 feet wide, was at south.

The fire-place was opposite the entrance close to the north wall.

This circle was at the N.E. side of the clatter.

From No. 14 in a W.S.W. direction are the remains of walling connecting it with the clatter. The wall is about 70 feet long. Taking this wall as starting from the clatter, it proceeds E.N.E. to 14, then there is a small gap between 14 and 16, then wall from 16 to 17 (another piece of walling from 17 S.W. into clatter), 17 to 18, then from 18 S.W. for about 80 feet; curving S. and S.E. to 23; 23 is connected with 21a, 21a with 19 and perhaps with 22; 22 is connected by wall with 24a, from which there are traces of a wall towards 25.

Hut Circle 16.-Deep and circular. Internal diameter, 12 feet, filled up with large stones. The entrance was just E. of S. Burnt stones and flat rubbing stones were dug up; also pottery with double-line pattern.

Here

Hut Circle 17.-This dwelling cannot be considered circular, and consists of three compartments, as shown. There seemed to be an entrance into the south apartment. we found flint and a quantity of burnt stones. Flint. Hut Circle 18.-Internal diameter, 10 feet; external, 20 feet. The entrance was at south.

Hut Circle 19.-This again was not circular, but oval. Greatest diameter, 13 feet; lesser, 9 feet. It was very well made, and the entrance was at south. Here were found the usual stones and fragments of a well-worn rubber or whet

stone.

Entrance at

Hut Circle 20.-Internal diameter, 11 feet. south, and the fire-place was all along the wall opposite the entrance. This hut joins 23. Here were found a curious small, red, square ruddle stone and pieces of flint.

Hut Circle 21.-A very good specimen, deep and conical, or pit-shaped, being constructed of large stones in the centre. Diameters, 16 feet and 8 feet. The entrance was on south side. Cooking and rubbing stones found. Also a piece of flint.

Hut Circle 21a.-This is a few feet S.W. of 21, and is not a circle. The fire-place was on the inside of the south wall, and the entrance at the west corner. It was an irregular clumsy-looking dwelling.