Monument record MDO2074 - Prehistoric field system at Benecke Wood, Portesham

Wood recorded on DCC SMR card index. Notably, the location is given in reference to the SW corner of a 1:10 000 km grid square and therefore does not represent the true location of Benecke Wood. (1)

'GROUP (5): BENECKE WOOD, S. of (SY 68 NW; 609867 -618868), in Portesham pariah, comprises about 30 acres of disturbed 'Celtic' fields on the N.-facing slope and floor of a dry valley in the Upper Chalk, partly capped by Clay-with-flints. Other certain but very slight traces appear N., W. and E. To the N., scarps almost ploughed-out can be seen on the chalk but not on the gravels of the Bagshot Beds just beyond, where enclosure Portesham (57) lies. To the W., on Portesham Hill, the Hell Stone long barrow (33) has been used as a 'Celtic' field boundary, and S. of it strip lynchets run into 'Celtic' fields. To the E. and S.E., in and near Hell Bottom, a few 'Celtic' field scarps survive around Bench (623865), partly overlain by strip fields, and S.W. of Shilvinghampton Barn (about 627861).
In the main field area a triangular 'Celtic' field, 150 yds. By 130 yds. By 80 yds., lies on the fairly steep valley side under a double lynchet track following the S. shoulder. It is 1¼ acres in area with lynchets up to 10 ft. high. The only other measurable fields, with low lynchets, are 67 yds. By 33 yds. (R.A.F.V.A.P. CPE/UK 1934: 1066-9).' (2)

<1> DCC SMR, to 2003, Former DCC SMR Card Index (Index). SWX8285.

<2> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 3, 625 (Monograph). SDO150.

Record last edited

Mar 19 2012 2:06AM