Monument record MDO5964 - D-shaped enclosure, Pentridge

A D-shaped enclosure visible on air photographs as a cropmark was briefly examined in 1976 when part of the ditch was cut by a gas pipeline. No datable material was recovered, the reported finds comprising mainly a fragment of bone, a flint scraper and a quantity of unidentifiable potsherds from the secondary fill. The enclosure is irregular in shape, with a possible entrance facing southwest. It is not clear if the enclosure abuts or is cut by the Roman road (Ackling Dyke) and it is this that gives the enclosure its D-shaped appearance.

A D-shaped enclosure at SU 026188 is reported by the British Gas Corporation. <2>

SU 026188 Irregular D-shaped enclosure, area ?0.8 ha., visible on air photographs S of Woodyates. the enclosure is incomplete and is intersected by Roman Road [RR4 c]. [Air photograph transcription plan]. <4-5>

The Western side of the North lobe of the enclosure was recorded when cut by the Gas Pipeline. V-shaped with convex sides and a flat house, it measured 2.15 m wide at the top and 1.2 m deep. No dateable material from the primary fill. <3>

The enclosure is an irregular shape, with a possible southwest-facing entrance. The straight side of the enclosure is actually provided by the Roman road (Ackling Dyke). It is not clear if the enclosure abuts or is cut by the road. The enclosure ditch was sectioned in 1976 during work on a gas pipeline. However, it was not apparent at the time of excavation that the observed features related to the enclosure. According to the final report, "A number of features were noted (by different agencies) during the construction work. At the time, it was not considered that the ditches of the enclosure had been discovered but consideration of the information recovered would appear to confirm its existence." The feature presumed to represent the enclosure ditch was a straight length of ditch, some 9 metres of which was exposed. A section across it showed it to be 2.15 metres wide and 1.2 metres deep. 3 pieces of unfired clay were found lying on the primary fill, while the secondary fill contained a fragment of bone, a flint scraper and a quantity of unidentifiable potsherds. This feature was subsequently identified as probably representing the west side of the north lobe of the enclosure, as it approached an entrance gap. Colin Bowen of RCHME also noted part of the northeastern side of the enclosure ditch where the pipeline trench crossed it. However, this feature was not noted by anyone else and was not excavated. Another, smaller feature, was excavated. It appears to have been a pit inside the enclosure, but contained no datable finds. <2-5>

<1> Historic England, Historic England Archive, Object Number: RCH01/091. (Index). SDO14738.

Object Title: RCHME Inventory: Dorset V (East). Scope & Content: Annotated publication proofs for Dorset V, East Dorset, published in 1974. Also includes original surveys, drawings and field notes, and unpublished material. Original survey material has been catalogued.

<2> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1978, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1976, 58 (Serial). SDO76.

(SU 026 188). British Gas Corporation report the ditches of a D-shaped enclosure.

<3> Catherall, P, Barnett, M, and McClean, H, 1984, The Southern Gas Feeder: the Archaeology of a Gas Pipeline, 188-90 (Monograph). SDO16637.

<4> Bowen, H C, 1990, The Archaeology of Bokerley Dyke, Pentridge 40 (Monograph). SWX800.

<5> Bowen, H C, 1991, The Archaeology of Bokerley Dyke: Inventory, 28, Pentridge 40 (Monograph). SDO14864.

<5.1> National Monuments Record, NMR OAP SU 0218/9 (Aerial Photograph). SDO18886.

<5.2> Catherall, P, Barnett, M, and McClean, H, 1984, The Southern Gas Feeder: the Archaeology of a Gas Pipeline (Monograph). SDO16637.

<6> National Record of the Historic Environment, 213614 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Nov 24 2022 11:31AM