Monument record MDO37135 - Natural feature, Sherrings Green, Puddletown

Ditches recording during archaeological work in 2001 in advance of determination of a planning application for housing development. These were interpreted by the excavator as a circular feature of Middle Bronze Age date possibly the remains of a round barrow, though in an unusual location of such a monument, or a small hengiform monument. Further evaluation in 2015 showed these to be periglacial features.

<1> Bellamy, P, 2000, Land at Sherring's Green Close, Blandford Road, Puddletown, Dorset. Archaeological Evaluation (Unpublished document). SDO12216.

‘6 CONCLUSIONS … The evaluation has also shown that there are a number of surviving archaeological features which are not visible on the surface and which do not relate to the earthworks. … The most significant discovery is the possible prehistoric monument in Trench 1. Unfortunately too little was exposed to be able to determine the form and function of this feature. Its extent is not known and it cannot be determined on present evidence whether it is a circular or linear feature. It has been tentatively suggested that it is a Bronze Age monument, perhaps a round barrow or palisaded enclosure. The location is not typical for a round barrow, being on the lower slopes above a river terrace. Most of the round barrows in Puddletown parish are on the high ground on heathland soils (RCHME 1970). It is perhaps a more likely location for a palisaded enclosure or another form of ritual monument. However, on present evidence, it is unwise to speculate too much on the form, function and date of these features.’

<2> Bellamy, P and Pearce, P, 2001, Sherrings Green Close, Puddletown, Dorset. Archaeological Evaluation: Phase 2 (Unpublished document). SDO12238.

‘DISCUSSION. … at the end of the first phase of the evaluation, the identification of a number of features as prehistoric was very tentative, especially given the dearth of prehistoric material recovered. This second phase of evaluation has, in contrast, produce a comparatively large amount of prehistoric finds dating from the Neolithic to the Iron Age, with the bulk of the material belonging to the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age (c. 2900-1600 BC) and the Middle Bronze Age (c. 1600-1200 BC). Some of the Middle Bronze Age sherds were relatively unabraded and it is likely that they derive form activity in the immediate vicinity.

The difficult nature of the archaeology has meant that it was not feasible to trace the course of the possible prehistoric monuments with any degree of certainty. It has also meant that it has proved very difficult to be certain of their function, given the small proportion of these features available for excavation within the confines of the evaluation trenches. Nevertheless, on the basis of the two phases of evaluation, it is possible to propose a potential sequence of activity on the site. …

The first major phase of activity on the site is perhaps represented by the eastern group of features in Trench 6 and the corresponding features in Trench 1. In plan there is a suggestion that these ditches form part of a circular monument occupying the southeastern corner of the site. A circuit of about 29 m in diameter is proposed for this monument (Figure 5). This is in direct contrast to interpretation offered at the end of the first phase of evaluation when it was suggested that there was a possibly circular monument containing a series of features, including possible palisade ditches, curving round to occupy the southwest corner of the site. … The ditch of this monument, as excavated in Trench 1, appeared to have steep sides and a flat bottom, which suggest a Neolithic or Bronze Age, rather than a later date. However, at present the precise date and type of monument remain in doubt. It is most likely to be a round barrow or small hengiform. The location of this monument on a low spur jutting into the Piddle Valley, perhaps argues for a henge monument, rather than a round barrow. The discovery of a sherd of Beaker pottery (c. 2700-1700) in the upper fills of the ditch may be significant in this regard, giving a terminus ante quem for the construction of the monument.’

<3> Bellamy, P, 2015, Land adjacent Blandford Road (Sherrings Green Close), Puddletown, Dorset. Archaeological Field Evaluation (Unpublished document). SDO14927.

Record last edited

Aug 23 2024 12:49PM