Monument record MDO937 - Deserted medieval settlement, Compton Barn, West Compton

(Area centred at: SY 58089434) Situated under pasture on the lower slopes and bottom of a narrow valley are a number of rectangular platforms and enclosures. These are formed by scarps and banks from 0.5m. to 1.0m. high and there are hollow ways associated with these enclosures. Although there is no obvious water supply at
present visible, the situation and type of earthworks strongly suggest a site of md depopulation possibly a farmstead, which could be associated with the nearby strip lynchets. The site is visible on AP CPE/UK/2431/4147. <1>

The area of settlement was ploughed in 1964 and quantites of iron, stone, daub, brick and pottery recovered. Although clearly Medieval. the assemblage cannot be dated precisley. <3>

A geographical survey has been undertaken. <4>

A deserted farmstead or hamlet is visible as earthworks on aerial photographs. The site comprises a number of conjoined rectilinear enclosures, house platforms and field boundaries with a double-ditched trackway running into the settlement down the slope from the west. The settlement les at the head of a small combe and is considered likely to be medieval in origin. <6-7>

<1> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 23-MAY-55 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<2> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1963, Monuments Threatened or Destroyed. A Select List: 1956-1962, 14 (Monograph). SDO12558.

‘SOAPER’S HILL PLANTATION, S. of [SY 581944] Rectangular enclosure, 200 ft. by 140 ft., bounded by bank 4 ft. high, with internal divisions; possibly medieval; on valley bottom. Previously unrecorded.’

<3> Radley, J, 1965, Archaeology of the Eggardon Valley, Askerswell, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 87, 83-88 (Article in serial). SWX7831.

<4> Medieval Settlement Research Group, 1987, Annual Report, 24 (Serial). SDO20228.

<5> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, Externally held archive: RCH01/088 RCHME Inventory: Dorset I (West) and Revision (Unpublished document). SDO17367.

<6> Royal Air Force, 22-JAN-1948, RAF/CPE/UK/2431 4147-8 (Aerial Photograph). SDO11088.

<7> Royal Air Force, 08-MAR-1948, RAF/CPE/UK/2475 3244-5 (Aerial Photograph). SDO11090.

<8> National Record of the Historic Environment, 450989 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Oct 27 2023 12:23PM