Monument record MDO1878 - Late prehistoric field system, Ringstead Bay, Owermoigne

Remains of a late prehistoric field sytem are visible as earthworks on aerial photographs and lidar imagery of fields to the south-east of Sea Barn Farmhouse.

Ringstead Bay (SY 766817-768814). Owermoigne, Remains of Celtic fields over 14 acres of the bottom and N-facing slope, rising to a cliff edge, of a narrow combe, and formerly extended N and S. The inner edges of some fields, with lynchets up to 6ft high, are preserved on the cliff edge. <1>

The Celtic field system centred at SY 768815, covering an area of approximately 2.0 ha., remains as described by RCHM. <2>

Remains of a well preserved field sytem are visible as earthworks on aerial photographs <3-5> and lidar imagery <6> of fields to the south-east of Sea Barn Farmhouse. They do not respect the modern field pattern and are considered likely to be of late prehistoric date. These features were digitally plotted during the South West Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey (Dorset).

<1> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 3, 628 (Monograph). SDO150.

'Group (13): Ringstead Bay (SY 78 SE; 766817-768814), Owermoigne. Remains of 'Celtic' fields cover 14 acres of the bottom and N.-facing slope, rising to a cliff edge, of a narrow combe, and formerly extended N. and S. The inner edges of some fields, with lynchets up to 6 ft. high, are rpeserved on the cliff edge. (R.A.F. F.A.P. CPE/UK 1821: 2442-3.)'

<1.1> Royal Air Force, 04-NOV-1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1821 2441-2 (Aerial Photograph). SWX2415.

<2> Barton, J G, Various, Field Investigators Comments JGB, F1 JGB 17-JUL-80 (Unpublished document). SDO11900.

<3> Royal Air Force, 18-JAN-1962, RAF 58/4878 (F22) 0079-80 (Aerial Photograph). SDO12922.

<4> Royal Air Force, 18-FEB-1970, RAF 58/0254 0001-3 (Aerial Photograph). SDO12923.

<5> XX-XXX-2005, Google Earth (Aerial Photograph). SDO12861.

<6> Channel Coastal Observatory, 25-FEB-2009, Lidar (Aerial Photograph). SDO12879.

<7> National Record of the Historic Environment, 454249 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Sep 6 2024 4:32PM