Monument record MDO42578 - Wyke Down Henge 2, Gussage St Michael

A small henge-type monument on Wyke Down, observed in 1995 by Martin Green on a routine flight as a ring ditch and excavated the following year; which subsequently identified this as a second henge. Consists of a sub-circular enclosure with an entrance causeway on the southeast side. Enclosed by a ditch comprising of two major segments, both constructed by digging a series of pits. Outside the enclosure, and broadly to the west were a scatter of pits and post holes. These seem to be mostly Neolithic and were generally associated with Grooved Ware. Two possible circular buildings were identified among the various features.

A small henge-type monument on Wyke Down, discovered in 1995 and excavated the following year. The site is just 40 metres south-west of the previously excavated and very similar monument (see SU 01 NW 113, [ie MDO5657]). The enclosure is sub-circular with an entrance causeway on the southeast side, facing the other henge. The ditch comprised two major segments, both constructed by digging a series of pits. Where the two met there was a very narrow causeway just below the level of the natural chalk. The basal secondary silts contained Peterborough Ware and Grooved Ware sherds, though never together. The uppermost silts included Beaker and Grooved Ware sherds. The southwest terminal pit contained at its base a deposit of soil on which had been placed an almost complete Grooved Ware pot. The base of the northwest terminal pit contained a few sherds of Peterborough Ware. Outside the enclosure, and broadly to the west, a scatter of pits and post holes were uncovered. These seem to be mostly Neolithic, and were generally associated with Grooved Ware. Two possible circular buildings were identified among the various features.

[Note: The source SDO16724 identifies MDO5657 as Wyke Down Henge 1 and MDO42578 as Wyke Down Henge 2.]

<1> Prehistoric Society, 1997, PAST: Newsletter of the Prehistoric Society (Serial). SDO16724.

<2> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1247910 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Oct 26 2022 9:44AM