Monument record MDO47591 - Southern cross dyke, Hambledon Hill, Child Okeford

A fairly well preserved Neolithic causewayed double cross-dyke on Hambledon Hill. Two, and possibly all three, of the spurs which joined the central domed summit of Hambledon Hill are "re-inforced" by double cross-dykes. The superficial form of the cross-dykes and their excavated profiles are similar to those of the main causewayed enclosure. Excavation during Roger Mercer's 1974-86 campaign has shown them to be of earlier Neolithic origin. Their initial creation may well have been contemporary with the main causewayed enclosure. The earthworks on Hambledon Hill were surveyed by RCHME in 1996. The southern cross-dyke lies immediately to the south of the main causewayed enclosure, extending for 180 metres east-west across the neck of the Stepleton spur. The earthwork comprises two main banks and ditches, with an outer counterscarp bank, all of which are causewayed. The western outwork appears to have incorporated the terminal of the southern cross dyke, suggesting that the former post-dates the latter. However, the cross-dyke also appears to have been modified and extended after the western outwork was constructed.

(ST 8479 1202 - 8497 1207) Between late May and late August 1996 the Cambridge and Exeter offices of RCHME carried out an earthwork survey and aerial photographic interpretation of the complex of monuments on Hambledon Hill as part of the project to record Industry and Enclosure in the Neolithic period. The `southern cross-dyke', formerly recorded as part of the main causewayed enclosure (ST 81 SW 17), was assigned a new NMR number to enhance the record.
fairly well preserved Neolithic causewayed double cross-dyke on Hambledon Hill. Two, and possibly all three, of the spurs which joined the central domed summit of Hambledon Hill are "re-inforced" by double cross-dykes. The superficial form of the cross-dykes and their excavated profiles are similar to those of the main causewayed enclosure (ST 81 SW 17). Excavation during Roger Mercer's 1974-86 campaign has shown them to be of earlier Neolithic origin. Their initial creation may well have been contemporary with the main causewayed enclosure.
See the parent record (ST 87 SW 17) and the archive report for full details. The southern cross-dyke lies immediately to the south of the main causewayed enclosure, extending for 180 metres east-west across the neck of the Stepleton spur. The earthwork comprises two main banks and ditches, with an outer counterscarp bank, all of which are causewayed. The western outwork (ST 81 SW 61) appears to have incorporated the terminal of the southern cross dyke, suggesting that the former post-dates the latter. However, the cross-dyke also appears to have been modified and extended after the western outwork was constructed. (1)

For a full description and analysis of the investigations at Hambledon Hill refer to this publication report. (2)

<1> Mercer, R, and Healy, F, 2008, Hambledon Hill, Dorset, England. Excavation and survey of a Neolithic monument complex and its surrounding landscape, 34, 121-131, 402-3 (Monograph). SDO13474.

<2> RCHME: Industry and Enclosure in the Neolithic (Monograph). SWX1665.

<3> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, Historic England Archive AF1079113 RCHME: Hambledon Hill, Dorset (Excavation archive). SDO20294.

<4> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1058087 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Jan 23 2025 10:27AM