EDO6660 - Long barrow on Sheep Down, Winterborne Steepleton; geophysical survey 2007

Magnetometer survey tentatively identified only one anomaly of possible archaeological origin; a positive anomaly around the outer perimeter of the barrow mound. Earth resistance survey revealed no evidence of side ditches, though a weak curvilinear high resistance anomaly was seen around the base of the barrow mound, suggesting dimensions of 57m long by 35m wide, and which may indicate a stone kerb (peristalith) seen at some other long barrows such as the Grey Mare and Her Colts. This effect may also be due to a plough headland against the edge of the barrow causing a sharp break in topography and thus influencing local resistance readings. A high resistance anomaly towards the eastern end of the barrow mound was thought possibly to indicate a stone burial chamber. Other high resistance linear anomalies to the north east were thought likely to represent separate enclosure or field boundaries, or possibly a structure adjoining the mound associated with later land use. Other linear trends were interpreted as being geological in origin or due to the effects of ploughing.