Monument record MDO7655 - Late prehistoric Cross-Ridge Dyke east of Flower's Barrow, East Lulworth

Late prehistoric cross-ridge dyke, located just to the east of Flower's Barrow hillfort. It runs northwest-southeast, parallel to the east ramparts of the hillfort. The remains of this cross dyke are visible as earthworks on Lidar imagery.

Cross-Ridge Dyke, east of Flower's Barrow. Recorded as a Hillfort but is more likely to be an outwork. Where best preserved, the bank of the dyke is 20ft wide at its base and stands 2.5 ft above the ground. (1)

The remains of this cross dyke are visible as earthworks on Lidar imagery (3). These features were digitally plotted during the South West Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey (Dorset).

<1> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1963 edition OS map (Map). SWX1540.

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

‘Cross-ridge dyke (41), on the ridge 180 yds. E. of the hillfort, is probably an outwork. It runs parallel to the E. ramparts for nearly 300 ft. beginning a little below the edge of the steep slope on the S. but ending some 80 ft. short of the edge of the less steep N. slope, with no indication that it ever continued farther N. As it is unbroken by any original cut, traffic must have passed round it on the N. side where there is now a terraced approach track. Where best preserved the bank of the dyke is 20 ft. wide at its base and stands 2½ ft. above the ground on the W. and 5 ft. above its ditch, which is approximately 15 ft. wide at the lip. (R.A.F. V.A.P. CPE/UK, 1821: 5427.)’

<2> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 3, 518 (Monograph). SDO150.

‘(41) CROSS-RIDGE DYKE, E. of Flower’s Barrow (SY 88 SE; 868806) and partly in Tyneham parish, see Hill-forts, East Lulworth (40).’

<3> Channel Coastal Observatory, 25-FEB-2009, Lidar (Aerial Photograph). SDO12879.

Record last edited

Jan 19 2016 4:48PM