Monument record MDO20218 - Hengistbury House, Purewell, Christchurch; possible mound

A small circular mound measuring on average 2ft high, surrounded by a slight ditch approximately 0.4m deep so that the total diameter of mound and ditch together measured approximately 72ft (20m), was excavated by St. George Gray during October 1922. The mound was situated within a pasture field adjoining the north side of Stanpit Marsh within the grounds of Hengistbury House (now part of Stanpit Golf Links). The excavation revealed that the mound comprised loose soil containing 19th century pottery and prehistoric flint mixed at all levels. Gray concluded that the mound was modern in origin, although Druitt (who funded the excavation) thought that the large number of flints might suggest that the mound was of prehistoric origin but much disturbed in recent times. The 2nd and 3rd edition OS maps show a circular enclosure of the right size containing a small plantation of fir trees. This suggests that the mound is a late 19th century garden feature associated with Hengistbury House.

A small circular mound measuring on average 2ft high, surrounded by a slight ditch approximately 0.4m deep so that the total diameter of mound and ditch together measured approximately 72ft (20m), was identified by Herbert Druitt circa 1921. The mound lay within a level pasture field adjoining the north side of Stanpit Marsh and within the grounds of Hengistbury House. It is not known if the site of the mound is still visible on the ground, although it lays within the SE corner of the Golf Links on the north side of Stanpit Marsh.

Herbert Druitt funded St. George Gray to undertake a small excavation on the mound during October 1922. A trench measuirng 43ft x 6ft wide was excavated across the mound and ditch down to natural gravel. The soil was found to be loose and contained 19th century pottery mixed with prehistoric flints at all levels. The remains of two wooden fence posts were uncovered within the area of the ditch, although no evidence for a ditch cut was revealed. St. George Gray concluded that the mound was modern in origin and that the prehistoric flints were derived from the soil from which the mound was constructed. Druitt however, felt that the large number of flints (76 flakes and 9 worked tools) might suggest that the mound was prehistoric in origin but much disturbed in recent times [1].

The mound was topped by three fir trees and the 2nd and 3rd edition OS maps depict a circular enclosure of the right dimensions containing a small plantation of fir trees at this location. The circular fence surrounding the trees is probably the source of the wooden posts excavated by St. George Gray. It is also possible therefore that the mound is a late 19th century garden feature associated with Hengistbury House.

<1> St George Gray, H, 1925, Excavation of a Mound at Christchurch, Hants. Proceedings of the Hampshire Field Club and Archaeological Society 9 (Article in serial). SWX4053.

Record last edited

Feb 17 2012 11:28AM