Monument record MDO7155 - Prehistoric field system near Elderton Clump, Bere Regis

A prehistoric field system visible as earthworks in the vicinity of Elderton Clump, and extending in all directions. In places much reduced by ploughing.

<1> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Records, SY 89 NW 12 (Index). SDO131.

<2> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 3, 632-633 (Monograph). SDO150.

‘Group (31): Elderton Clump (SY 89 NW; 843974–846973), Bere Regis and Winterborne Kingston. (fn. 6) 'Celtic' fields, now almost destroyed, occur over 12 acres between 250 ft. and 350 ft. above O.D., S. and W. of the Clump, and formerly extended in all directions. The chalk here is capped with clay, pebbles and a deep loamy soil. There is a probable settlement in the area (cf. Hutchins 1, 147) but the only earthwork to suggest it is a fragment of double-lynchet track 10 ft. wide, which runs into Elderton Clump from the direction of round barrow, Bere Regis (110), S.W. of it, at a field angle. Coarse pottery in the Iron Age 'A' tradition and some Romano-British sherds, including New Forest ware, were found with iron slag, burnt clay and daub in the ploughed scarp, 10 ft. high, at the foot of the slope 130 yds. W. of the clump. (R.A.F. V.A.P. CPE/UK 1934: 2121–2.)’

Record last edited

Feb 21 2018 2:48PM