Monument record MDO1815 - Osmington, medieval strip lynchets

(Area centred SY 730835) Strip lynchets on the north and south slopes of the ridge; the terraces on the northern slope being deep and strongly marked. Quarrying and traces of limestone outcrop occur on the top of 'negative' lynchets which appear to be cultivation lynchets. These lack the regularity of the usual Medieval type, probably because of the awkwardness of the natural contours. <1>

The grass-covered lynchets described by Authy 1. average 8.0m. wide, with the vertical drop varying from one to another varying from 2.0m. to 10.0m. according to conditions necessitated by the contours. One or two outlying lynchets lie to the north and west of the main group at SY 72828383 and SY 73208390. <2>

SY 728834 to SY 732834 and SY 732838. Strip lynchets mentioned in general terms by RCHM. Clearly defined on APs. <4>

SY 730836. These Medieval strip lynchets in a good state of preservation. <5>

A series of medieval strip lynchets are visible as earthworks on aerial photographs, to the north-east of Osmington. <6-7> They were plotted during the South Dorset Ridgeway Mapping Project.

<1> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, RCHM Mss file (Unpublished document). SDO18524.

<2> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 15-DEC-54 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<3> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1963 (Map). SWX1540.

(SY 730835) Strip Lynchets (NR)

<4> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 1, 183 (Monograph). SDO148.

'(28) STRIP LYNCHETS and BROAD RIDGE-AND-FURROW (see Fig. p. 187). Remains of strip lynchets cover about 130 acres; some 80 acres appear to be associated with Osmington village (extending up to 4/5 mile away), and 50 acres with Ringstead.

The strips lie on chalk, clay, limestone and sandy subsoils. Most follow the contours but some around 721832 and 733820 run against them, though not directly up-and-down. All except two at about 748821 end in ramps or by running out on to an unploughed area. Breaks probably corresponding with furlong ends are detectable in most groups (as in Winterbourne Steepleton 12). Around 74748220 the natural slope is so steep that it suggests some preparation of the ground was necessary before first ploughing. (The almost flat treads in the area are notable.)

The main groups are at about 721832, 728834 to 732834, 732838, N.W. and N.E. of Osmington; 731822 and 733820, S.E. of Osmington; and 748820 N. of West Ringstead. Lengths vary from 130 yds. to 220 yds., widths of treads from 3 yds. to 50 yds., heights of risers from 1 ft. to 30 ft. Slopes along treads are up to 16° and across them up to 10°.

Broad ridge-and-furrow with ridges about 11 yds. wide and gently curved in plan occurs over about 15 acres near 719834 and with ridges 8 yds. wide around 748820.'

<4.1> Royal Air Force, 04-NOV-1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1321 4445-6 (Aerial Photograph). SDO19551.

<5> Barton, J G, Various, Field Investigators Comments JGB, F2 JGB 10-JUL-80 (Unpublished document). SDO11900.

<6> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, Externally held archive: RCH01/093 RCHME Inventory: Dorset II (South-East) (Unpublished document). SDO17434.

<7> Royal Air Force, 04-NOV-1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1821 4446-7 (Aerial Photograph). SDO11759.

<8> Royal Air Force, 04-NOV-1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1821 4447-8 (Aerial Photograph). SDO11758.

<9> National Record of the Historic Environment, 454410 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Feb 26 2023 8:15AM