Odyn Jac Limekilns

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The monument consists of the remains of two limekilns, in which lime is made by calcining limestone. The larger kiln measures 6m high and is built of rubble limestone. It is set into the bank and is formed of two walls at right angles with a rounded corner. There are low segmental drawing arches to both walls, which carve inward toward a central pot. The pot survives at the charging level though partially collapsed and is reached by a rock-cut ramp form the track below. The double earth kilns are immediately to the west and are of ‘scoop and mound’ type, with pots created by digging a semi-circular scoop in the slope and placing the spoil at its downslope edge. The mound is roughly 3m high.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of industrial manufacturing processes. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits. The structure itself may be expected to contain archaeological information concerning chronology and building techniques. A lime kiln may be part of a larger cluster of monuments and their importance can further enhanced by their group value.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It is is bounded on the north by the present field boundary and extends for roughly 60m by 20m.