Monument record MDO39488 - Historic or modern enclosures, East Parley Common, Hurn, Christchurch

Two small historic or modern semi-circular enclosures on East Parley Common are visible on 1940s aerial photographs and was digitally plotted during the Dorset Stour NMP.

Two small historic or modern semi-circular enclosures on East Parley Common are visible on 1940s aerial photographs (1).

The southernmost enclosure measures 9m by 10m and is open on its east side. Internally the banks narrow either side of the entrance to create an angular diamond shape. The northernmost enclosure measures 9m by 9.5m and is also open on its east side. Internally it appears more open, with a narrower enclosing bank or cast up of material.

The enclosures may be modern and associated with wider wartime military activity on the heathland north of Christchurch. Alternatively they may be medieval or post medieval agricultural enclosures, possibly bee gardens.

The enclosures were sited on open heathland in 1946. They possibly survive as slightly raised earthworks beneath crops by 1988 (2). Current Google Earth imagery shows the site as a solar farm and the enclosures are no longer visible above ground.

The enclosures were digitally plotted by the Dorset Stour NMP

<1> Royal Air Force, 12-DEC-46, RAF/CPE/UK/1893 RS 4168 (Aerial Photograph). SDO15448.

<2> Royal Air Force, 03-AUG-88, OS/88209/ V 365 (Aerial Photograph). SDO15453.

Record last edited

Sep 27 2017 1:36PM