Monument record MDO7866 - Bowl barrow, Steeple

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Summary

One of two possible Bronze Age barrows visible as earthworks on aerial photographs in the vicinity of Drinking Barrow. They are both surrounded by a post medieval tree enclosure ring described separately in MDO30860.

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

One of two possible Bronze Age barrows visible as earthworks on aerial photographs in the vicinity of Drinking Barrow <1>. They are both surrounded by a post medieval tree enclosure ring described separately in MDO30860. The site was digitally plotted during the Wild Purbeck Mapping Project.

A possible ditched barrow, disturbed by tree growth, is situated at SY 90708311, 45 yards south-east of Drinking Barrow (SY 98 SW 28). It is D-shaped in plan and flat-topped, about 25 feet in diameter by 1 foot high, with a ditch 6 to 10 feet wide and 2 feet deep. A counterscarp bank, spread over about 10 feet but only 6 inches high, is best preserved on the north and east. This is possibly the barrow opened in 1854. (See SY 98 SW 26). <2>

This feature lies in unmanaged, badly overgrown woodland near the edge of the army firing range. Under the prevailing conditions it could not be identified. <3>


<1> Royal Air Force, 18-JAN-1962, RAF 58/4878 (F22) 0068-9 (Aerial Photograph). SDO13463.

<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.

'(21) Ditched barrow (?) (SY 98 SW; 90728309) 45 yds. S.E. of (20) on slightly lower ground. D-shaped in plan and flat-topped. Diam. about 25 ft., ht. 1 ft. Ditch 6 ft. to 10 ft. wide and 2 ft. deep. Counterscarp bank, spread over about 10 ft. but only 6 ins. high, best-preserved on N. and E. Disturbed by trees.'

<3> Fletcher, Martin, Field investigator's comments MJF, F1 MJF 02-MAY-86 (Unpublished document). SDO17630.

<4> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, Externally held archive: RCH01/093 RCHME Inventory: Dorset II (South-East) (Unpublished document). SDO17434.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 457092 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Sources/Archives (5)

  • <1> Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 18-JAN-1962. RAF 58/4878 (F22) 0068-9.
  • <2> Monograph: Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England). 1970. An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 3.
  • <3> Unpublished document: Fletcher, Martin. Field investigator's comments MJF. F1 MJF 02-MAY-86.
  • <4> Unpublished document: Royal Commission on Historic Monuments. Externally held archive: RCH01/093 RCHME Inventory: Dorset II (South-East).
  • <5> Digital archive: National Record of the Historic Environment. 457092.

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (0)

Location

Grid reference SY 9072 8309 (point) (5 map features)
Map sheet SY98SW
Civil Parish Steeple with Tyneham; Dorset
Unitary Authority Dorset

Protected Status/Designation

Other Statuses/References

  • Legacy UID: Dorset Sites and Monuments Record: 6 018 021
  • Legacy UID: National Monuments Record: SY 98 SW 66
  • Legacy UID: National Record of the Historic Environment: 457092
  • Royal Commission Inventory Reference: Steeple 21

Record last edited

Jan 20 2025 12:53PM

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