Archaeological monitoring and recording Addiscott Farm, South Tawton, Okehampton, Devon

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Oakford Archaeology between February and March 2024 at Addiscott Farm, South Tawton, Devon. The site is located within the historic core of the hamlet of Addiscott, a settlement of possible Saxon origin and recorded for the first time in the mid-to late 12th century. The work was therefore required by the Dartmoor National Park Authority, as advised by Lee Bray, the DNPA Archaeology Officer. A watching brief was maintained during the excavation of a foundation trench for a new extension and alterations inside the building. Excavations of the new extension measured approximately 7m in length, 5m wide and extended to a depth of 0.5m. This exposed a mid yellowish brown clayey silt and mudstone (101) at a depth of 0.2m. Interpreted as a natural subsoil, this was overlain by a 0.2m thick dark brown silty clay (100) topsoil. Inside the former washroom the removal of the cobbled floor exposed a mid yellowish brown clayey silt and mudstone natural subsoil at a depth of 0.35m. This was overlain by a 0.05m thick mid yellowish brown silty clay with frequent small sub-angular mudstone inclusions. Interpreted as a make-up layer this was underneath a 0.05m thick deposit of dark blackish brown sandy silt which has been interpreted as a bedding deposit for the overlying cobbled floor. This consisted of large flat sub-angular mudstone and granite blocks with small sub-angular cobbles in the centre of the room heading towards the door. The floor was bonded with a dark blackish red lime mortar with rare charcoal flecks. Overlying the stone floor was a 0.5m thick mid greyish yellow silty sand mortar. Interpreted as a sub-base, this was sealed underneath a 0.05m thick dark brown sandy silt bedding for the current cobble floor consisting of sub-angular mudstone and granite cobbles. A small assemblage of finds were recovered from the topsoil (100) and consisted of 2 sherds of industrial whiteware transfer print (19th-20th century); a single sherd of white porcelain (19th-20th century); 2 sherds of stoneware, one white and one grey (19th-20th century); 1 sherd grey stoneware with pink glaze (20th century); 1 iron staple pin. Nothing of significance was found