Monument record MDO8821 - Earthwork on Sopley Common, Hurn, Christchurch

Circular earthwork comprising shallow ditch of unknown date or function. The earthwork is visible on 1940s aerial photographs and was digitally plotted during the Dorset Stour NMP.

Circular earthwork 4.6 m in diameter recorded on Sopley Common and comprising a shallow ditch 0.3-0.6 m wide. (1)

The earthwork is visible on 1940s aerial photographs and was digitally plotted during the Dorset Stour NMP (2). It may be agricultural in nature, perhaps associated with possible medieval bee gardens in the vicinity. The earthwork is located within a wider area of sub-circular earthworks and enclosures that may be associated with early 20th century military activity, however, and may alternatively have an early 20th century military origin, possibly associated with a military camp or training area.

The site is partially open heath on current Google Earth imagery (3) but the earthwork is not visible and its current condition is not known.

Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Records, SZ 19 NW 43 (Index). SDO131.

<2> Royal Air Force, 28-MAY-48, RAF/CPE/UK/2548 V 5156-7 (Aerial Photograph). SDO15553.

<3> Google Earth, 2017, Google Earth 2017 (Aerial Photograph). SDO15388.

Record last edited

Nov 1 2017 12:45PM