Monument record MDO39682 - Early 20th century earthworks, possible historic enclosures, Sopley Common, Hurn

A loose concentration of banked earthworks 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 earlier date and agricultural function is also possible. The features were digitally plotted by the Dorset Stour NMP.

A loose concentration of banked earthworks are visible on Sopley Common on 1940s aerial photographs and were digitally plotted during the Dorset Stour NMP (1).

The earthworks are typically semi-circular or sub-rectangular banked enclosures varying between 5m and 10m wide. The entrances vary in direction. The earthworks may have a medieval or post medieval agricultural funtion (e.g. medieval bee gardens) but are located within an area of concentrated military activity, indicating a more likely early 20th century military origin, possibly associated with a military camp or training area. Two larger sub-rectangular banked enclosures, 18.5m by 13.5m and 17.5m by 10.5m, in the southwest of the group may be the remains of former buildings, possibly ancillary buildings associated with a military base (MDO39677) or annex of wartime Hurn airfield (MDO39623).

The features were digitally plotted by the Dorset Stour NMP.

The earthworks are within mixed open heath and tree cover in 2017 and are not visible on current Google Earth imagery.

<1> Royal Air Force, 26-MAR-48, RAF/CPE/UK/2548 V 5155-6 (Aerial Photograph). SDO15555.

Record last edited

Nov 2 2017 11:36AM