Monument record MDO39673 - Early 20th century enclosures and earthworks, Sopley Common, Hurn

A wide concentration of banked and ditched earthworks and enclosures are visible at this location on Sopley Common on 1940s aerial photographs. The earthworks are likely to be early 20th century military in origin, although an historic agricultural function is also possible. The features were digitally plotted by the Dorset Stour NMP.

A wide concentration of banked and ditched earthworks and enclosures are visible at this location on Sopley Common on 1940s aerial photographs and were digitally plotted during the Dorset Stour NMP (1). Some of these enclosures and earthworks have been potentially identified as earthworks recorded as child records within the parent record MDO8813. Additional earthworks within the larger concentration are recorded under this record and MDO 39674.

The banked earthworks are typically semi-circular or comma shaped in form, some with internal ditches also visible. The size and shape of the earthworks varies and it is not known whether they are all contemporary or whether they reflect different dates and functions. It is possible some of the enclosures have a horticultural or agricultural function, possibly associated with medieval bee gardens, as noted above. They are located within an area of concentrated military activity, however, and it seems likely that some or all of the earthworks and enclosures are alternatively early 20th century military in origin, possibly associated with a military camp or training area.

The features were digitally plotted by the Dorset Stour NMP.

The earthworks are within partially open heath in 2017 but are not visible on current Google Earth imagery.

<1> Royal Air Force, 28-MAY-48, RAF/CPE/UK/2548 V 5156-7 (Aerial Photograph). SDO15553.

Record last edited

Nov 2 2017 11:31AM