Monument record MDO37343 - Multiple-ditched linear boundary complex c 700 metres west of Bishops Court Farm, Shapwick

A linear arrangement of three (possibly more) slightly irregular parallel plough-levelled ditches visible on aerial photographs dated 2005. The ditches are aligned WNW ESE in their northern exposure, turning abruptly to align NNW-SSE in their southern part. At least one divergent ditch turns NNE from the northern part of the main complex. The line of the monument could not be traced further at either end of its exposure. The triple-ditched feature was digitally plotted from aerial photographs during the Dorset Middle Stour Catchment AI&M Project. The record for this monument has been created with support from Wessex Water.

A possible later prehistoric triple-ditched boundary was recorded as cropmarks on 2015 Historic England oblique aerial photographs. It is defined by irregular ditches and extends for 145m roughly east to west before turning south-east for a further 220m. A ditched boundary extends north from its north side for about 85m. Part of an enclosure, measuring about 30m across is attached to the east side of the south-east portion of the boundary. As it is wholly contained within one field and one end is opposite a gap in the hedge (in 2005), it is possible that this is a relatively modern feature but the attached enclosures suggest otherwise. The boundary and enclosures are also recorded on Google Earth 2001, 2002, 2005, 2017 and 2018 vertical aerial photographs. It is centred at ST 9285 0273 and extends between ST 9273 0279 and ST 9291 0251. (1-3)

A 1995 aerial photographs shows that boundary that extends north is actually defined by parallel ditches and links to an enclosure (described in NRHE 1622708). <2>

A linear arrangement of three (possibly more) slightly irregular parallel plough-levelled ditches visible for a distance of at least 380 metres on aerial photographs dated 2005. The ditches collectively form a zone up to c 17 metres across, and are aligned WNW ESE in their northern exposure, turning abruptly at NGR 392847 102712 to align NNW-SSE in their southern part. At least one divergent ditch turns NNE from the northern part of the main complex, althopugh it is unclear what relationship this has to the main monument. No evidence for survival of inter-vallum banks could be discerned and The line of the monument could not be traced further at either end, although the likelyhood is that the complex continues southwards at least; the northern end may represent termination of the monument within the target field.

A small possible curvilinear ditch diverging eastward from the southern part of the complex has been mapped under this number, but may be unrelated.

The triple-ditched feature was digitally plotted from aerial photographs during the Dorset Middle Stour Catchment AI&M Project <3-4>. It is considered likely to be a later prehistoric trackway and is associated with to other trackways running northwards and described separately in MDO44064 and MDO44065.

<1> Winton, Helen, RCHME/EH/HE Aerial Photographers comment HW (Verbal communication). SDO18745.

<1.1> 23-APR-2015, Historic England Archive 29560_046-052 (Aerial Photograph). SDO19407.

<1.2> 23-APR-2015, Historic England Archive 29561_008-013 (Aerial Photograph). SDO19408.

<1.3> Google Earth, 01-JAN-2001, Google Earth 2001, ACCESSED 17-DEC-2018 (Aerial Photograph). SDO13042.

<1.4> Google Earth, 2002, Google Earth imagery, ACCESSED 17-DEC-2018 (Aerial Photograph). SDO15980.

<1.5> Google Earth, 01-JAN-2005, Google Earth 2005, ACCESSED 17-DEC-2018 (Aerial Photograph). SDO18557.

<1.6> Google Earth, 2017, Google Earth 2017, ACCESSED 17-DEC-2018 (Aerial Photograph). SDO15388.

<1.7> Google Earth, 2018, Google Earth 2018, ACCESSED 17-DEC-2018 (Aerial Photograph). SDO16663.

<2> 04-SEP-1995, NMR 15397/60 (ST9302/9) (Aerial Photograph). SDO19409.

<3> Historic England Archive, 23-APR-2015, HEA 29561/001 (Aerial Photograph). SDO18305.

<4> National Monuments Record, 07-AUG-1995, NMR 15362/27 (Aerial Photograph). SDO18306.

<5> GetMapping, 2005, Digital vertical aerial photographs (Aerial Photograph). SDO12563.

<6> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1622712 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Feb 13 2023 7:07PM