Monument record MDO3736 - Strip lynchets on north and north east slopes of Elbury Hill, Compton Abbas

Earthwork remains of strip fields on the north and north east slopes of Elbury Hill formed part of the open fields of Compton Abbas. These fields were part of Hawkam Field.

A large grass covered natural mound with steep sides and a fairly level top. On the northern slopes of the mound is a well formed positive lynchet which is possibly medieval. It is 5.0m wide and has an average height of 2.0m. <2>

Well preserved cross-contour strip lynchets on the north and north east slopes of Elbury Hill (ST 863183); in the former open field called "Hawkam Field". <3-4>

No change since field report of 20 1 56. The lynchet is well defined on OS air photographs <5.1>. <5>

<1> Atkinson, R J C, 1949, spec 6 inch (RJCA 1.3.49) (Map). SWX1583.

ST 86291831 Camp.

<2> Edwards, D W, Various, Field Investigators Comments DWE, F1 DE 20-JAN-56 (Unpublished document). SDO17870.

<3> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1972, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume IV (North), 14 (Monograph). SDO99.

MEDIAEVAL AND LATER EARTHWORKS
(11) CULTIVATION REMAINS. The date of enclosure of the open fields is unknown. A late 18th or early 19th-century map (D.C.R.O.) shows nine separate open fields, all apparently in the last stages of piecemeal enclosure; they existed substantially un-altered in 1844 (Tithe Map). Well preserved contour and cross-contour strip lynchets in four places in the parish represent some of these fields: those on the N. and N.E. slopes of Elbury Hill (863183) were in Hawkam Field; those on the W. of Melbury Hill (868192) were in Incombe Field; those on the S. and E. of Melbury Hill (871195) were in Forked Bridge Field; those on the N.W. slopes of Fontmell Down (877182) were in Culverland Field.

<4> Royal Air Force, 11-JUL-1946, RAF 106G/UK/1654 4324 (Aerial Photograph). SDO17878.

<4.1> Royal Air Force, 11-JUL-1946, RAF 106G/UK/1654 4325-6 (Aerial Photograph). SDO17873.

<5> Barrett, G, Various, Field Investigators Comments GB, F2 GB 11-JAN-78 (Unpublished document). SDO17369.

<5.4> Ordnance Survey, 6.6.75, OS 75/371 137 (Aerial Photograph). SDO17879.

<6> National Record of the Historic Environment, 205897 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Mar 23 2022 9:37AM