Monument record MDO1815 - Osmington, medieval strip lynchets

Medieval strip lynchets visible as earthworks on aerial photographs.

(Area centred SY 730835) Strip lynchets on the north and south slopes of the ridge; the terraces on the northern slope being deep and strongly marked. Quarrying and traces of limestone outcrop occur on the top of 'negative' lynchets which appear to be cultivation lynchets. These lack the regularity of the usual Medieval type, probably because of the awkwardness of the natural contours. <1> The grass-covered lynchets described by Authy 1. average 8.0m. wide, with the vertical drop varying from one to another varying from 2.0m. to 10.0m. according to conditions necessitated by the contours. One or two outlying lynchets lie to the north and west of the main group at SY 72828383 and SY 73208390. <2> SY 728834 to SY 732834 and SY 732838. Strip lynchets mentioned in general terms by RCHM. Clearly defined on APs. <4> SY 730836. These Medieval strip lynchets in a good state of preservation. <5> A series of medieval strip lynchets are visible as earthworks on aerial photographs, to the north-east of Osmington. <6-7> They were plotted during the South Dorset Ridgeway Mapping Project.

Record last edited

Feb 26 2023 8:15AM