{"id":179,"date":"2013-10-24T12:49:02","date_gmt":"2013-10-24T11:49:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/?page_id=179"},"modified":"2022-02-03T18:07:56","modified_gmt":"2022-02-03T18:07:56","slug":"farming-and-the-historic-environment","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/land-management\/farming-and-the-historic-environment\/","title":{"rendered":"Farming"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/west-of-exeter.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-182\" src=\"http:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/west-of-exeter-240x159.jpg\" alt=\"Although levelled by ploughing, this late prehistoric or Romano-British farmstead enclosure west of Exeter is clearly visible as a soil mark. The distinctive \u2018zig-zag\u2019 pattern indicates active erosion of the defensive bank by cultivation.\" width=\"240\" height=\"159\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/west-of-exeter-240x159.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/west-of-exeter-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/west-of-exeter.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px\" \/><\/a>Many historic and archaeological sites are well preserved under permanent pasture, with appropriate stocking levels. However some farming practices inevitably have an impact on the Historic Environment. Often this can be because the landowner is not aware of the archaeological remains, or the effect of even shallow cultivation on below-ground archaeology.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cultivation has been assessed as the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.english-heritage.org.uk\/publications\/scheduled-monuments-at-risk-south-west-region\/smr-sw-acc-web-final.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">single biggest hazard<\/a> facing monuments<\/li>\n<li>Archaeological remains are unique and cannot be replaced once lost. They are often fragile and, even though they may have survived for millennia, can be completely destroyed by a single event or by years of cumulative damage (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.academia.edu\/3392164\/Trow_S._2010_Ripping_up_history_sordid_motives_or_cultivating_solutions_Plough_damage_and_archaeology_a_perspective_from_England_in_Trow_S._Byrnes_E._and_Holyoak_V._Eds_2010_pages_129_-_134\" rel=\"noopener\">Ripping up History<\/a>, 2003).<\/li>\n<li>Some archaeological sites are highly visible, whilst others are hidden and only revealed through accidental discovery, archaeological excavation or aerial photography.<a href=\"http:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/North-West-Devon.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-184\" src=\"http:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/North-West-Devon-240x147.jpg\" alt=\"This poorly sited water trough on a prehistoric barrow (burial mound) in north-west Devon has led to poaching, causing damage to the mound and surrounding buried ditch. It has since been relocated under archaeological supervision, as part of a Higher Level Stewardship Scheme.\" width=\"240\" height=\"147\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/North-West-Devon-240x147.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/North-West-Devon-800x492.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/North-West-Devon.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>See the <a href=\"https:\/\/devoncc.sharepoint.com\/:b:\/s\/PublicDocs\/Environment\/EcOjt0l-s3pFh2-geD1pH44B6dcwpnMfKpYqq-ZaH4_2RA?e=MR4lGE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Farming and Archaeology in Devon Information and Advice Note <\/a>for more details.<\/p>\n<p>Historic environment protection is a clear component of the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.defra.gov.uk\/publications\/files\/pb13558-cogap-090202.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">Code of Good Agricultural Practice for farmers, growers and land managers<\/a> (\u2018CoGAP\u2019).<\/p>\n<h2>Protecting archaeology on farmland<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/near-A30.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-185\" src=\"http:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/near-A30-240x156.jpg\" alt=\"Buried archaeological features may be invisible on the surface. The pits and postholes of this Iron Age settlement near Exeter were discovered when topsoil was stripped for the new A30.\" width=\"240\" height=\"156\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/near-A30-240x156.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/near-A30-800x523.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/near-A30.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px\" \/><\/a>Many important in-field archaeological sites are not visible at ground level, but can be close to the surface.<\/p>\n<p>Other features may be easily visible as \u2018earthworks\u2019, for example the banks of ramparts, burial mounds or defensive ditches, or as built structures ranging from \u2018orthostatic\u2019 field boundaries to ruinous chapels, industrial chimney stacks and concrete anti-tank cubes.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/medieval-earthworks.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-186\" src=\"http:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/medieval-earthworks-240x180.jpg\" alt=\"In-field earthwork remains of platforms and enclosures of possible medieval date.\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/medieval-earthworks-240x180.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/medieval-earthworks-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/medieval-earthworks.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px\" \/><\/a>Good management \u2013 for example appropriate stocking levels to avoid poaching, scrub control and soil management to prevent erosion \u2013 will help to preserve them.<\/p>\n<p>However&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 <b>Ploughing<\/b> (even \u2018to the same depth\u2019) can damage buried archaeological sites or destroy them completely.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 <b>Subsoiling<\/b> is particularly harmful, as it is likely to destroy buried archaeological deposits, given the depth at which they are usually found in Devon.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 <b>Groundworks<\/b> such as creating new water supplies, gateways or feeding facilities can damage archaeological sites of all kinds, and these potential impacts should be carefully considered.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 <b>Trees and energy crops<\/b> such as miscanthus can cause damage to archaeological sites through ground preparation, root growth and <a title=\"Woodland and the historic environment\" href=\"http:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/land-management\/woodland-and-the-historic-environment\/\">harvesting<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Traditional maintenance is the best way to preserve <a title=\"Hedges and the historic environment\" href=\"http:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/land-management\/hedges-and-the-historic-environment\/\">ancient field boundaries<\/a>, but casting up may impact on underlying archaeological sites and should be avoided in archaeologically sensitive areas.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 <b>Maintenance<\/b> of historic farm buildings should be sympathetic, making use of traditional materials.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/Stoke-Rivers.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-187\" src=\"http:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/Stoke-Rivers-240x184.jpg\" alt=\"Stoke Rivers Iron Age hillfort from the air, showing different stages of destruction of the ramparts. The ramparts survive as a field boundary in the foreground, as a raised bank in the field to the right of the picture and to the left as much reduced earthworks.\" width=\"240\" height=\"184\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/Stoke-Rivers-240x184.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/Stoke-Rivers-778x600.jpg 778w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/Stoke-Rivers.jpg 1184w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px\" \/><\/a>If you are planning any of these activities, a quick check with the <a title=\"The Historic Environment team\" href=\"http:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/\">Historic Environment Team\u00a0<\/a>will flag up any known archaeological features that might be affected.<\/p>\n<p>Payments for protecting archaeological and historic features can be claimed through <a title=\"Environmental Stewardship and the historic environment\" href=\"http:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/land-management\/environmental-stewardship-and-the-historic-environment\/\">Environmental Stewardship<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Further information:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.english-heritage.org.uk\/publications\/farming-the-historic-landscape-grassland\/caring-for-archaeological-sites-in-grassland2004.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">Caring for Archaeological Sites in Grassland<\/a><\/li>\n<li>\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.english-heritage.org.uk\/publications\/farming-the-historic-landscape-arable\/caring-for-archaeological-sites-on-arable-land2004.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">Caring for Archaeological Sites on Arable Land<\/a><\/li>\n<li>\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.english-heritage.org.uk\/publications\/farming-the-historic-landscape-farm-buildings\/caring-for-farm-buildings2004.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">Caring for Farm Buildings<\/a><\/li>\n<li>\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.english-heritage.org.uk\/publications\/farming-the-historic-landscape-historic-parkland\/caringforhistoricparkland.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">Caring for Historic Parkland<\/a><\/li>\n<li>\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.english-heritage.org.uk\/publications\/farming-historic-landscape-introduction-for-farm-advisers\/farmadvisersbookletlowres.pdf\/\" rel=\"noopener\">An Introduction for Farm Advisors<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>What historic features are on my land?<\/b><b><\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/Kingsbridge.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-188\" src=\"http:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/Kingsbridge-240x153.jpg\" alt=\"The cropmarks of two prehistoric enclosures and a prehistoric ring ditch near Kingsbridge show the survival of below ground archaeological features.\" width=\"240\" height=\"153\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/Kingsbridge-240x153.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/Kingsbridge-800x511.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/Kingsbridge.jpg 1070w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px\" \/><\/a>The Devon <a title=\"Historic Environment Record\" href=\"http:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/the-devon-historic-environment-record\/\">Historic Environment Record <\/a>may hold records of archaeological sites not known to landowners.<\/p>\n<p>You are welcome to use the Devon Historic Environment Service to:<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Access historic environment information on the HER.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Discuss management issues for archaeological sites on your land.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/Haldon-arrowheads.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-189\" src=\"http:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/Haldon-arrowheads-240x172.jpg\" alt=\"Neolithic flint arrowheads discovered at Haldon. These are about 5000 years old. Stone tools like these can often be the first indication of the presence of an archaeological site. \u00a9 Royal Albert Memorial Museum &amp; Art Gallery, Exeter\" width=\"240\" height=\"172\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/Haldon-arrowheads-240x172.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/Haldon-arrowheads-800x574.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2013\/10\/Haldon-arrowheads.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px\" \/><\/a>Information from the Devon HER is available online through the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.heritagegateway.org.uk\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Heritage Gateway<\/a> and can also be accessed by coming to the HER office and viewing the record personally. Please phone to book an appointment. For simple enquiries, <a title=\"The Historic Environment team\" href=\"http:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/\">contact us<\/a> by phone, fax, email or post and we may be able to obtain the information you require.<\/p>\n<p>There is currently no charge for this information. In some cases we can offer a farm site visit to discuss specific management issues.<\/p>\n<p>Historic Landscape Characterisation is a map-based interpretation of the landscape\u2019s historic development, and it can be <a title=\"Historic Landscape Characterisation\" href=\"http:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/projects\/historic-landscape-characterisation\/\">accessed online<\/a> or through the HER.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Many historic and archaeological sites are well preserved under permanent pasture, with appropriate stocking levels. However some farming practices inevitably have an impact on the Historic Environment. Often this can be because the landowner is not aware of the archaeological &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/land-management\/farming-and-the-historic-environment\/\" aria-label=\"Continue reading Farming\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":164,"featured_media":0,"parent":48,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-sidebar.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-179","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-06 01:50:28","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/179","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/164"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=179"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/179\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4208,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/179\/revisions\/4208"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/48"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/historicenvironment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=179"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}