Monument record MDO4472 - Cross dyke near Ruins Plantation, Milton Abbas

A cross dyke, on the top but not completely crossing the ridge, consists of a short section of ditch with a low intermittent bank on the west side.

A cross dyke, on the top but not completely crossing the ridge, consists of a short section of ditch with a low intermittent bank on the west side. The Ordnance Survey maps show the bank turning to the west at its SW end but there is now no trace visible. The ditch here carries on in the original course until it meets the hedge and does not seem to turn east as shown on O.S. <2>

On what was formerly 'Great Down' now enclosed, there was an ancient dyke, serving as a boundary between Hilton and Milton parishes. Part of this dyke was called 'Fisherman's Grave' from the legendary fight between two fishermen at this place, one of whom was killed and buried here. In 1831 a human skeleton was found "on the vallum" by the road. (The dyke is stated to be NE of Milton Abbey, but this is obviously incorrect; the O.S. 6" shown 'Great Down Clump at ST 78320188, near the dyke). <3>

This earthwork has probably been partly destroyed at some period. It now consists of a ditch 44.0m. long, 3.5m. wide and 0.6m. deep. The ditch may have extended further along the parish boundary in a NE. direction, but there is now no visible trace of an extension. The bank shown on the O.S. 25" as turning to the E. has a small ditch on its S. side and terminates at the E. end in some small diggings. This bank appears to be unconnected with the main work, and of comparatively recent date. (See revised 25").

At the SW. end of the earthwork there are unsurveyable traces of a continuance of the ditch, for perhaps 4.0m., on the W. side of the parish boundary. The bank shown on the 25" has been virtually destroyed by the presence of a field entrance at this point, and its association, if any, with the main work cannot be decided. The main ditch, however, has a field boundary hedge, but not a bank on its NW. side.

The earthwork may be the remains of a cross ridge dyke, but there is no trace of a continuation southwards, on the ground or on AP. <6>
A very doubtful cross Ridge Dyke. The ridge is broad and low and this earthwork, in the North, turns to the East to run along the top of the ridge instead of to cross it. <4>

<1> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1902 (Map). SWX1540.

(ST 78290199 to ST 78350202) Dyke

<2> RCHM Mss file (Unpublished document). SWX2467.

<3> Hutchins, J, 1873, The history and antiquities of the County of Dorset. Volume 4. 3rd edition, 409 (Monograph). SDO10245.

<4> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 30-AUG-55 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<5> Rigg, J, Field Investigators Comments JR, F2 JR 20-FEB-56 (Unpublished document). SWX1255.

<6> Royal Air Force, 11-APR-47, RAF/CPE/UK/1974 4358 (Aerial Photograph). SDO17622.

<7> National Record of the Historic Environment, 201861 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Feb 14 2022 4:05PM