Monument record MDO8058 - Strip fields, Tyneham

A medieval field system in the form of earthwork terraces, known as strip lynchets. These lynchets lie over a prehistoric field system and have been carefully arranged to fit into the pattern of earlier fields, crossing smoothly over some of the old lynchets.

The lynchets have been ploughed and are generally in poor condition. The majority are traceable only in a low light. <3>

<1> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 2, 303 (Monograph). SDO149.

‘(9) STRIP FIELDS occur in four main areas around Tyneham village. … (d) Strip lynchets (88037981 to 88907988) occur over 'Celtic' fields of Ancient Field Group (19) in an area of about 20 acres S. of (c). They have been carefully arranged to fit into the 'Celtic' pattern, crossing smoothly over some of the old lynchets (Plate 197). S. of Tyneham Great Wood a lynchet falling N. is up to 12 ft. high. To the W. the remains occur in an area with sharp natural folds, producing an unusually confused effect.’

<2> Papworth, M D J, Trust for Wessex Archaeology, 1983, Isle of Purbeck Survey, IOP 143 (Index). SDO147.

‘Earthworks visible in permanent pasture being colonized by low shrubs. 7/7/C.’

<3> Attrill, N J, Field Investigators Comments NJA, F1 NJA 27-AUG-81 (Unpublished document). SDO14743.

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 Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, Externally held archive: RCH01/093 RCHME Inventory: Dorset II (South-East) (Unpublished document).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

<5> Historic England, Historic England Archive, 883380 (Index). SDO14738.

RCHME: Tyneham Medieval and Other Earthworks, Dorset. Additional entries

<6> National Record of the Historic Environment, 455447 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Oct 22 2023 9:15AM