MM291

Blackcliff Wood Limekiln  

09/03/2000  

Designated  

Monmouthshire  

Wye Valley  

353296  

198171  

Industrial  

Limekiln  

Post Medieval/Modern  

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument. The monument consists of the remains of a limekiln, in which lime is made by calcining limestone. The limekiln is related to the standard Wye Valley type dating to the 19th century and has associated charging ramps and quarry. The kiln has two drawing arches facing the front, serving a single bowl and the pot is lined with fire-brick. It is roughly 12m across making it an exceptionally large example. A large stone buttress has been built between the front arches, probably soon after the kiln's original construction. The charging ramp curves up around the north of the kiln and a track exits towards the Chepstow-Tintern road at the south west. 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.