EDO6115 - Tarrant Launceston 15; aerial photograph interpretation 2008

Analysis of 450 aerial photographs, the results of which prompted further analysis of Tarrant Launceston 15 (TL15) and its environs. Examination of crop marks showed that TL15, previously identified as an oval enclosure, showed breaks or possible entrances in the surrounding ditch. The crop marks showed an arrangement of short ditches and pits forming an oval circuit measuring 183m long by 172m max wide. The gaps or causeways measured between 3m and 6m wide. The features were characteristic of early Neolithic causewayed enclosures. The morphology revealed by the cropmarks, the topography and the aerial photographs were felt to be a strong argument for the re-interpretation of the site as a causewayed enclosure. The study of the environs more than doubled the number of recorded round barrows in the area, mostly west of the river. However there were none that appeared to be related to TL15. The aerial survey identified agricultural activity on the downs ranging from later prehistoric Celtic field systems and linear boundaries to features associated with the peak of sheep rearing in the post-medieval period. The majority of these were new to the archaeological record. Thirdly, the survey identified 28 20th century military sites that had not been noted before ranging from World War 1 practice trenches , Prisoner of War camp, bombing ranges and searchlight battery and direction finding beacons. The survey identified 124 new monuments, mapped the extent and orientation of large area features and produced a number of recommendations for further work in relation to TL15, sheeep-rearing practices and military land usage.