Monument record MDO2848 - Earth circle, West Compton

A circular earthwork enclosure was identified in 1936 immediately east of the possible henge and barrow group SY 59 SW 23. The site was described as comprising a very shallow ditch surrounding a circular area 47 feet in diameter. A single sarsen was located lying on the inner lip of the ditch on the south east side. Three more sarsens lay some 90 feet to the south, but clearly any relation with the site would be highly speculative. Ordnance Survey field investigation in 1955 was unable to locate any such feature, nor was anything visible on air photographs.

[SY 5474 9458] An earth circle 136 ft from [39 NW 4 'A'] at a bearing of 115o from its centre. Found in 1936 this site consists of a very shallow and regular ditch, surrounding a circular area 47 ft in diameter. A single sarsen lies on the inner lip of the ditch on the S.E., and may be the sole survivor of a circle 3 or more sarsens lie 90 ft to the S., but their relation to the circle is problematical. <1>

This site is situated in a field which appears to be permanent pasture. There are a number of vague hollows and mounds in the area indicated by T.I. but the circular ditch surrounding an area of some 15.0 m. diameter could not be discerned or related to any sarsens. The site is not visible on AP CPE/UK/2431/4153. <2>

<1> 1939, Antiquity Vol 13, 146 (Serial). SDO19724.

<2> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 20-MAY-55 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<3> National Record of the Historic Environment, 451459 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Oct 26 2023 6:46PM