Monument record MDO1367 - Enclosure, Black Down, Littlebredy

An irregular sub-square enclosure of uncertain date and function, possibly later prehistoric, recorded as an extant earthwork by the RCHM and also visible as an earthwork on aerial photographs

An irregular subsquare enclosure of uncertain date and function, possibly prehistoric. It has been recorded as an extant earthwork by the RCHM <1>, described as an irregular square of about 26 yards, surrounded by a bank in places 2.5 feet high. There is a gap forming an entrance at the SE angle. The N part of the enclosure is sunk somewhat below the rest, and there are slight traces of a subdivision within it. The enclosure has been ploughed and partially disturbed by quarrying.

The enclosure has been ploughed out and only an amorphous and unsurveyable depression remains. <2>

The enclosure has been partially disturbed by quarrying, reduced by ploughing and no visible trace is now traceable. The date and function have not been determined, and it is not recommended for scheduling. <3>

It is also visible as an earthwork ditch on aerial photographs <4> measuring approximately 26 x 26 metres, and was digitally plotted during the South Dorset Ridgeway Mapping Project. It is bounded or cut at its southern edge by an east-west running linear bank and ditch feature (MDO3413), thought to be a dyke of possible Late Bronze Age date.

<1> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments England, 1952, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume I (West), 38 (Monograph). SDO97.

‘(6) ENCLOSURE, on Black Down, 40 yards E. of the road and nearly 1¼ m. S.E. of the church, is an irregular square of about 26 yards, surrounded by a bank in places 2½ ft. high (for plan, see preface, p. xxxiv). There is a gap forming an entrance at the S.E. angle. The N. part of the enclosure is sunk somewhat below the rest and there are slight traces of a sub-division within it.’

<2> Papworth, M, 1983, The South Dorset Ridgeway Project: condition and management survey, SDR 702 (Index). SDO12304.

‘The enclosure has been ploughed out and only an amorphous and unsurveyable depression remains. 7/-/E.’

<3> English Heritage, English Heritage Alternative Action Report, MPPA, 04-Feb-1999 (Scheduling record). SDO18279.

<4> Royal Air Force, 04-NOV-1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1824 3299-3300 (Aerial Photograph). SDO11849.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1408701 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

May 17 2023 11:01AM