Monument record MDO45229 - Iron Age or Roman field system, Boyne Bottom, Ashmore

Evidence of 'Celtic' fields survives on slopes above Boyne Bottom (ST 905185), where there are at least four large 'Celtic' fields, measuring up to 130 yards by 80 yards and defined by low lynchets. <2>

ST 906182 Field system with scattered but fairly pronounced lynchets and field banks. <1>

ST 90251855 Pattern of 'Celtic' fields (noted by RCHM <2>) but much mutilated by ploughing visible on OS air photographs <3.1> as strong soil-marks covering an area of approximately 6.0 ha. Under high cereal crop at time of ground inspection. <3>

<1> Atkinson, R J C, 1949, Annotated Record Map Rec. 6 (R J C Atkinson 1 3 49), Corr 6" (R J C Atkinson 1.3.49) (Map). SWX2397.

<2> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1972, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume IV (North), 120 (Monograph). SDO99.

Group (78): Ashmore. Evidence of 'Celtic' fields survives both N. and S. of the village. On the slopes of the combe head above Boyne Bottom (905185), near the N. edge of the parish, are at least four large 'Celtic' fields; they measure up to 130 yds. By 80 yds. And are defined by low lynchets. Air photographs suggest traces of other fields, now ploughed flat, adjacent to and S. of the village at 911172 and 910166. The lyncheted angles of 'Celtic' fields, much reduced by ploughing and in the past mistaken for barrows, survive on the spur immediately N. of Well Bottom (916167).

Air photographs: CPE/UK 1811: 1078–9; CPE/UK 2038: 4073–7; N.M.R. ST 9018/1–3.

<2.1> Royal Air Force, 29-Oct-1946, RAF CPE/UK/1811 1078-79 (Aerial Photograph). SDO19163.

<3> Stone, J W, Field Investigators Comments JWS, F1 JWS 06-JUN-78 (Unpublished document). SDO11902.

<3.1> Ordnance Survey, 6.6.75, OS 75/371 145 (Aerial Photograph). SDO17856.

<4> National Record of the Historic Environment, 209901 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Jul 3 2023 3:52PM