Monument record MDO45473 - Square earthwork enclosure on Gussage Little Down, Gussage St Michael

A small square earthwork enclosure on Gussage Little Down. The enclosure is defined by earthwork banks and partly by ditches, and appears to be associated with lynchets. The date of these features is uncertain.

A small square earthwork of a type frequently met with upon the downs and partly surrounded by a ditch.

Situated in the angle formed by two other artificial banks which contribute to the formation fits south and west sides. The enclosed area is separated from the exterior vallum by a broad fosse. There is no entrance into the interior but in the NW and SW angles there is a passage into the fosse, flanked on the SW, on both sides by a bank for some distance, and on the North by the continuation of one of the banks previously referred to. Situated on Gussage Little Down, near the top of the hill about 100 yds west of the Roman Road. <1>

Description in authority 1 correct. The earthwork is situated slightly below the ridge on land sloping to the north and known locally as Gussage Little Down. For general layout see sketch plan & section below. The lynchet to the south of the enclosure continues eastwards for some distance & also to the SW together with the bank to the west for some 13.0m suggesting a form of entrance to the ditch. To the NW the bank develops into a lynchet & continues to the west. It would appear that the earthwork is contemporary with or later than the lynchet to the south but the latter may have encroached upon the earthwork. No suggestion can be offered as to the date or purpose of this enclosure. It falls some 80.0m west of the Roman Road. Under grass. <3>

<1> Colt Hoare, Sir Richard, 1812, The Ancient History of Wiltshire, 34 (Monograph). SDO16281.

<1.1> Warne, C, 1872, Ancient Dorset, 336 (Monograph). SDO10094.

<2> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey map 6 inches to 1 mile, 1902 (Map). SDO17328.

[ST 99181073] Earthwork [OE]

<3> Swatridge, G C, Various, Field Investigators Comments GCS, F1 GCS 30-MAR-54 (Unpublished document). SWX1169.

<4> National Record of the Historic Environment, 210046 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

May 30 2025 12:09PM