Monument record MDO39686 - Historic or early 20th century earthworks, Sopley Common, Hurn

A loose concentration of banked and ditched circular earthworks on Sopley Common are visible on 1970s 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 and ditched circular earthworks located to the south of Avon Causeway on Sopley Common are visible on a 1977 aerial photograph (1).

The earthworks are typically banked sub-circular and sub-rectangular enclosures measuring around 4m to 5m wide. The majority do not obvious entrances but where these are present they face in all directions. A larger sub-rectangular banked enclosure on the west side of the group measures 9.5m by 6m.

The earthworks are located within an area of military activity and may be early 20th century military in origin, possibly associated with a military camp or training area. Alternatively the earthworks may be associated with older historic enclosures, possibly agricultural or horticultural in function, perhaps medieval or post medieval bee gardens.

The features were digitally plotted by the Dorset Stour NMP.

The earthworks are within partially open heath and some are still visible on a 2009 vertial aerial photograph (2) and on current Google Earth imagery.

<1> National Monuments Record, 04-APR-77, SZ/1397/5 127-8 (Aerial Photograph). SDO15564.

<2> Dorset County Council, XX-XXX-2009, Dorset CC Vertical Digital Photo Tile (Aerial Photograph). SDO13314.

Record last edited

Nov 2 2017 12:19PM