Monument record MDO113 - Enclosure on Haydon Down, Askerswell

[Centred at SY 54779274] On AP CPE/UK/2431/3153. An enclosure is visible upon HAYDON DOWN. The enclosure is quadrilateral in plan, with sides approximately 30.0m. long, and appears to be formed by a bank. HAYDON DOWN has been put under the plough and the enclosure virtually destroyed. At the site a spread of large stones and flints seem to indicate the ploughed out bank. No dateable evidence was found at the site and the enclosure cannot be classified, although it bears a superficial resemblance to the IA/RB type of enclosure occasionally found on hill tops and downland. <1>

The enclosure is represented by a ditch with a slight bank on the inner side. The ditch is 10 feet across and the enclosure is 100 yards long with an entrance to the South. It is probably modern. <2>

A rectilinear banked enclosure of uncertain date, visible as earthworks and cropmarks on aerial photographs. The enclosure is 34m across and lies towards the south end of Haydon Down. The enclosure lies in close proximity to two field systems of probable prehistoric date (MDO21938 and 21939) and therefore a prehistoric origin for this enclosure is possible. A second enclosure lies to the south (MDO21940). <3-5>

<1> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 03-MAY-55 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<2> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, Unpublished revision RCHME Dorset I (West) Undated (Askerswell file) (Unpublished document). SDO19798.

<3> Royal Air Force, 22-JAN-1948, RAF/CPE/UK/2431 3152-3 (Aerial Photograph). SDO11404.

<4> Royal Air Force, 22-JAN-1948, RAF/CPE/UK/2431 3153-4 (Aerial Photograph). SDO11406.

<5> Royal Air Force, 09-MAR-1948, RAF/CPE/UK/2475 4040 (Aerial Photograph). SDO15594.

<6> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, Externally held archive: RCH01/088 RCHME Inventory: Dorset I (West) and Revision (Unpublished document). SDO17367.

<7> National Record of the Historic Environment, 451484 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Oct 31 2023 6:30AM