Whilst there is no definitive dating evidence for either in North Devon, landscape topographical survey suggests the use of hushing. Archaeological excavation has determined the washing of top soils exposing bed rocks, the former being in the lower deposits, and the subsequent 'trenching' of the bed rock then overlying the soil sediments.
There is also tentative suggestion that buddling may have occurred underground and the 'wastes' channelled via drainage adits into open water courses. Buddle type sediments (determined through analysis) have been discovered in the back-waters of open water courses.
Trevor
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