Monument record MDO7216 - Prehistoric field system, Bloxworth

Cropmarks of an Iron Age and Romano British type field system and an earthwork of a supposed 'British Settlement'. Bank and ditched linear features forming part of a plough-levelled field system are visible as cropmarks and low earthwork on aerial photographs and lidar imagery and were digitally recorded during the Dorset Middle Stour AIM.

A mutilated British earthwork, extending over a considerable space, protected on the west by a double agger and fosse of some strength. <1>

Field-system visible on air-photographs. <3>

An IA/RB type field-system is visible on the air-photographs (a). Only two lynchets are now visible, the area being under stubble or pasture. The 'agger and fosse' mentioned by Hutchins <1> was probably the double-lynchet way visible on the air-photographs. <4>

Bloxworth Down (SY 875958 - SY 879962) Remains of 'Celtic' fields with lynchets up to 5ft high cover 50 acres mostly on moderate west and north slopes. A probable double-lynchet track is traceable for 1/4 mile running north from under a 'Celtic' field angle at SY 87589580 to just west of round barrow (SY 89 NE 22). <5>

The area is presently under crop and no remains of the field system can be seen. <6>

Bank and ditched linear features forming part of a plough-levelled field system are visible as cropmarks and low earthwork on aerial photographs and lidar imagery and were digitally recorded during the Dorset Middle Stour AIM. The features cover an area of over 34 hectares. <9-12>

<1> Shipp, W, and Hodson, J W (eds), 1861, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. 3rd edition. Volume 1, 184 (Monograph). SWX4496.

<2> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1902 (Map). SWX1540.

[Centred at SY 87559625] British Settlement (NR) (Site of)

<3> Atkinson, R J C, 1949, spec 6 inch (RJCA 1.3.49) (Map). SWX1583.

<4> Swatridge, G C, Various, Field Investigators Comments GCS, F1 GCS 09-NOV-54 (Unpublished document). SWX1169.

<4.1> Royal Air Force, 11-APR-1947, RAF/CPE/UK/1974 3344-5 (Aerial Photograph). SDO19635.

<5> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 3, 633 (Monograph). SDO150.

<5.1> Royal Air Force, RAF/CPE/UK/1934 4127 (Aerial Photograph). SDO19636.

<6> Attrill, N J, Field Investigators Comments NJA, F2 NJA 28-MAY-81 (Unpublished document). SDO14743.

<7> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, Externally held archive: RCH01/093 RCHME Inventory: Dorset II (South-East) (Unpublished document). SDO17434.

<8> National Record of the Historic Environment, 455755 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

<9> Environment Agency, 16-NOV-2021, LIDAR Environment Agency DTM (Aerial Photograph). SDO18034.

<10> Royal Air Force, 05-MAR-1945, RAF/106G/LA/163 RP 4084 (Aerial Photograph). SDO19896.

<11> John Boyden, XX-XXX-XXXX, JRB 75/3 (Aerial Photograph). SDO19897.

<12> Royal Air Force, 11-APR-1947, RAF/CPE/UK/1974 RP 3344 (Aerial Photograph). SDO19898.

Record last edited

Nov 27 2024 2:42PM