Monument record MDO5284 - Ring ditch, Winterborne Kingston

One of at least 13 ring ditches, including a group of 6 which appear conjoined, are visible as cropmarks. A linear feature, probably later in date, passes close by them and appears to cut across other linears. A trapezoidal feature is also visible. The site of the barrow is visible as a cropmark ring ditch 30m across with traces of an internal mound,on aerial photographs taken in 2002. It was digitally recorded during the Dorset Middle Stour AIM and is one of a large linear barrow group.

OS air photographs show cropmarks of a linear group of ring ditches, centred at SY 86579682. The overall diameters vary between 20.0 and 33.0 metres. One ring ditch is isolated, but in a line of five three are contiguous, with a further two overlapped (see 1:2500 plan). No traces are visible on the ground. <1>

Air photographs taken April 15 2002 show considerably more detail. At least 13 ring ditches are now visible, as well as linear and trapezoidal features. Details as follows, beginning with the group described above: A line of six seemingly conjoined or overlapping ring ditches, west to east as follows:

(3) SY 86499686, circa 30 metres in diameter, the ditch possibly just touching that of (2) immediately to the west and (4), immediately to the east. It appears to have an entrance or causeway to the south east;

(4) … appears to have an entrance or causeway to the southwest, close to that of (3).

In addition, other arcs of ditch are occasionally visible, some of which may represent traces of further ring ditches. A linear feature, possibly a heavily worn track or a ditch, crosses the field containing the ring ditches and appears to follow an irregular broadly ESE-WNW course immediately to the north of ring ditches (1)-(7). Note that all confirmed ring ditches lie to the south of this feature, which clearly post-dates the ring ditches. Other linear features are also visible, including a ditched feature bisected by the above linear and which appears at one point to feature a substantial entrance/causeway. 80 metres north of ring ditch (3) is a trapezoidal feature, aligned roughly NNW-SSW, centred at circa SY 86519698, and measuring circa 46 metres long and up to 30 metres wide. Its broader end, which appears open, is to the north. It appears to be overlain by a smaller trapezoidal feature, but some internal features, possibly pits, appear to follow the alignment of the main enclosure. <2>

The site of the barrow is visible as a cropmark ring ditch 30m across with traces of an internal mound,on aerial photographs taken in 2002. It was digitally recorded during the Dorset Middle Stour AIM and is one of a large linear barrow group. <5>

Trust for Wessex Archaeology, 1986, Dorset Barrow Survey, Papworth, MDJ TWA 6 March 1986 (Index). SDO134.

‘This ring-ditch is the largest on OS 1:2500 1981 and probably 33.0m in diameter. No visible trace in a field which appears to be occasionally ploughed and was in established grass when visited.’

<1> Attrill, N J, Field Investigators Comments NJA, F1 NJA 21-JAN-81 (Unpublished document). SDO14743.

<1.1> 15-APR-2002, NMR 21626/14 SY 8696/5 (Aerial Photograph). SDO19693.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 18-APR-1980, OS 80/021 167-8 (Aerial Photograph). SDO19645.

<3> GetMapping, 2005, Digital vertical aerial photographs (Aerial Photograph). SDO12563.

<4> National Record of the Historic Environment, 455823 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

<5> National Monuments Record, 15-APR-2002, NMR 21626/12 (Aerial Photograph). SDO19890.

Record last edited

Jul 26 2024 1:18PM