EDO6659 - Long barrow near Northfield Plantation, Winterborne Monkton; geophysical survey 2007

Magnetometer survey revealed a broad but relatively weak linear anomalies on each side of the long barrow mound. Similar features were seen as linear low resistance anomalies in the earth resistance results, and these were interpreted as two quarry ditches. The ditches were open towards the southern end of the barrow, and at the northern end appeared to be closed off by a short curvilinear section of ditch. The side ditches appeared to be of approximately the same width, with no discernible widening towards the front (southern end), as seen in some other long barrows. The mound could not be seen in the magnetometer survey results, suggesting that it was built of weakly magnetic chalk. The earth resistance survey showed two discrete high resistance anomalies towards the wider southern end of the barrow, interpreted as a possible indication of internal mortuary structures. Two weak low resistance anomalies to the south east were interpreted as possible pits or quarry features associated with the long barrow; these were not visible in the magnetometer survey results. An east-west linear anomaly just north of the long barrow was thought likely to be geological in origin or related to cultivation.