Monument record MDO40056 - Enclosure or long barrow, Knowlton, Woodlands

A long sub-oval cropmark within the Knowlton Circles Barrow Group is visible on 1970s aerial photographs. The feature may represent a prehistoric enclosure (possibly a Neolithic mortuary enclosure) or possibly a Neolithic long barrow. The feature was mapped by English Heritage’s Knowlton Circles Project and was digitally plotted by the Dorset Stour NMP project.

SU 0262 1030. An oval enclosure of uncertain date is visible as a cropmark on aerial photographs, and has been mapped by EH's Knowlton Circles Project. The enclosure is defined by a single ditch 36m x 15m, aligned northeast - southwest, with a gap in the northwestern side. It is located within the Knowlton Circles group of monuments (SU 01 SW 44), adjacent to the Great Barrow (SU 01 SW 106), and may represent a Neolithic mortuary enclosure or long barrow. A small circular feature, possibly a round barrow, lies adjacent to the northwestern side (SU 01 SW 208). <1>

A long sub-oval cropmark within the Knowlton Barrow Group is visible on 1970s aerial photographs. <2>

The feature measures 36.8m by 14m, with possible gaps or entrances on its southeast and northwest sides (although this could alternatively be due to plough damage).

The feature is located on the northeast side of the Great Barrow (MDO6443) and adjacent to it to the northeast is a small pit or barrow (MDO50055) of uncertain date, possibly contemporary but possibly much later in date, perhaps Iron Age or Roman in origin. The feature may represent a prehistoric enclosure or possibly a Neolithic long barrow. Similar features are recorded on the northeast edge of the Knowlton Barrow Group (MDOs 40039 and 40043).

The feature was digitally plotted by the Dorset Stour NMP.

<1> National Monuments Record, 26-JUN-1970, NMR SU 0210/6 (NMR 290/17) (Aerial Photograph). SDO18734.

<2> John Boyden, 26-JUN-70, JRB290/107 (SU0210/006) (Aerial Photograph). SDO15704.

<3> Historic England, Historic England Archive, Object Number: AF1339047. Object Title: EH: Knowlton Circles, Dorset (Index). SDO14738.

<4> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1409899 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Sep 12 2024 10:34AM