AS an archaeologist, I explored the Brook Street, Tavistock, tunnel with members of the Devon Mining Club. The finds of a clay tobacco pipe bowl and an iron gad suggest that the 33 metre long tunnel was dug by a miner who smoked! In my opinion it probably dates to the mid to late 19th or early 20th century. The brick-lined section of 13.6 metres could well be a secondary use of the tunnel when it was adapted for storage (perhaps as a cellar for wine)? A portion of cast-iron pipe near the top of the blocking wall at the entrance to the tunnel could have been used as an overflow pipe in the event of water building up behind the wall. However, in my opinion, there is nothing to suggest that the tunnel was originally dug for water storage ? no water pipes lead into it, and the tunnel itself is fairly dry. Any water facility of the 19th century would have been very well built and lined, not left with sides of bare crumbling killas. Perhaps the tunnel was an exploratory mining venture, or was intended to be developed into something else. For the moment, its purpose must remain a mystery. Tom Greeves 39 Bannawell Street Tavistock
