Monument record MDO41524 - Probable historic field boundaries and trackways, East End Farm, Corfe Mullen

Banked and ditched linear features to the west of East End Farm, Corfe Mullen, are visible on aerial photographs and current Lidar imagery. The features are considered likely to be historic field boundaries and trackways of possible medieval date, although a later origin is possible. The features have previously been speculated to be the surviving earthworks of a deserted medieval village (MDO5467). They have also been speculated to be a possible Roman signal station (MDO5486). The features were digitally plotted by the Dorset Stour NMP project.

Banked and ditched linear features to the west of East End Farm, Corfe Mullen, are visible on aerial photographs and current Lidar imagery (1-2).

The features comprise narrow linear ditches that form a series of sub-square enclosures to the west of East End Farm. Flanking these are several linear banks, some of which are sub-square and potentially like small building platforms in form. These features occupy a large irregular historic enclosure recorded on the OS 1st Edition map, whose sinuous boundaries indicate a probable medieval origin (3). The features align with the adjacent historic field boundaries and have the appearance of small enclosures or paddocks. Further to the west are further ditched linears that may also be historic field boundaries and/or trackways. A 2002 aerial photograph suggests an area of historic ridged and ditched cultivation in the south of the site; this respects the linear features on their north side (2).

The features are considered likely to be historic field boundaries and trackways of possible medieval date, although a later origin is possible. The cultivation marks are relatively narow and regular and are likely to be those of post medieval narrow ridge and furrow, although they may be earlier in date.

The features have previously been speculated to be the surviving earthworks of a deserted medieval village (MDO5467). They have also been speculated to be a possible Roman signal station (MDO5486).

The features were digitally plotted by the Dorset Stour NMP project.

<1> Dorset County Council, 2002, Dorset County Council Vertical Photograph (Aerial Photograph). SDO13401.

<2> Environment Agency, xxx-xxx-2015, Geomatics Lidar DSM 50cm (Aerial Photograph). SDO16012.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1864, 1886, Ordnance Survey 25-inch map, epoch one (Map). SDO10239.

Record last edited

Aug 30 2018 11:00AM