Monument record MDO6132 - Enclosure on Woodcutts Common, Sixpenny Handley

An earthwork enclosure at Woodcutts, surveyed in 1912 by HS Toms but since levelled by ploughing. Toms' survey shows a broadly northwest-southeast orientated enclosure defined by a bank and external ditch. The southwestern and southeastern facing sides are straight and meet at a right angle. The northwest and northeast sides represent a long curve connecting the southeast and northwest corners. There appears to have been an entrance gap in the southeast-facing side. Toms appears to have depicted a linear earthowrk heading away to the northwest from the northern end of the enclosure. In 1954, an Ordnance Survey field investigator suggested a possible Roman date, but this is pure supposition, with no real evidence to back it up.

[Centred at ST 96751738] This enclosure has been recently surveyed, and completely traced by Mr H. S. TOMS. Only the southern corner has been shown in previous surveys. It seems to belong to the type of valley pastoral enclosures, but its entrenchment is less than that of any other earthwork of a similar type in Cranborne Chase.[Apparent entrance in SW judged from plan. Ref not consulted]. <1>

The area has been cleared of scrub trees, and is now under cultivation, with the apparent destruction of the enclosure. Close investigation was not possible due to crops. Not visible on AP. 58/RAF/1090/0103. No dating is given in T.1., but from its close proximity to WOODCUTTS and the common occurrence of pastoral enclosures in connection with R.B. sites it may be provisionally dated to that period. <2>

<1> Sumner, H, The Ancient Earthworks of Cranborne Chase, 45 (Monograph). SDO16661.

Tom's plan reproduced opposite p45

<1.1> Toms, H S, 1913, The Antiquary: a magazine devoted to the study of the past (Serial). SDO18447.

<2> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 08-APR-54 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<3> National Record of the Historic Environment, 209778 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Sep 3 2022 11:44AM