Monument record MDO5847 - Prehistoric field system on Sovell Down

A Celtic field system situated on the ridge between the Crichel and the Gussage Brooks, and visible as cropmarks on air photographs. The fields lie mostly along the north east side of the ridge, on either side of the Ackling Dyke Roman road, extending broadly between. Towards the southeastern end of their extent, the fields adjoin an Iron Age settlement.

'Celtic' fields, now almost totally levelled by ploughing, are faintly seen on air photographs on the ridge between the Crichel and the Gussage Brooks. They lie mostly along the NE side of the ridge, on either side of the Roman Road (ST 985104 to ST 986112 to SU 003102). Towards the SE end the fields adjoin the Iron Age settlement and almost certainly are associated with it. <2>

<1> Atkinson, R J C, Annotated record map 1 to 6 inch scale, 1.3.49 (Map). SDO18356.

(Centred ST 990105) Field system

<2> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1975, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume V (East), 118 (Monograph). SDO129.

'GROUP (81): SOVELL DOWN (Gussage All Saints, Gussage St. Michael, Moor Crichel). 'Celtic' fields, now almost totally levelled by ploughing, are faintly seen on air photographs on the ridge between the Crichel and the Gussage Brooks; they lie mostly along the N.E. side of the ridge, on either side of the Roman road (985104– 986112–003102). Towards the S.E. end the fields adjoin an Iron Age settlement (Gussage All Saints (20)) and almost certainly are associated with it.
Air photographs: 58/RAF/3250: 0059–60; F22/58RAF/1090: 0138–40.'

<2.1> Royal Air Force, RAF 58/3250 0059-60 (Aerial Photograph). SDO19342.

<2.2> F22 58/1090 0138-40) (Aerial Photograph). SDO19343.

<3> Bowen, H C, 1990, The Archaeology of Bokerley Dyke, Area Plan 2 (Monograph). SWX800.

<4> National Record of the Historic Environment, 210045 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Feb 3 2023 11:28AM