Monument record MDO2070 - Cross dyke on Friar Waddon Hill, Portesham

A linear earthwork running across the ridge. Of prehistoric date and possibly associated with the extensive prehistoric field system on the hill. In 1972 this monument was recorded as a distinct earthwork about 70 yards long, 14 feet across and about 1½ feet deep. Visible as a linear earthwork bank and ditch on aerial photographs.

SY 64258542. A cross-ridge dyke on Frair Waddon Hill, a bank and ditch about 70yds long, is aligned N-S across the axis of the limestone ridge at about 400ft. above O.D. It lies on a gentle S.-facing slope and extends from the edge of the steep S. face of the ridge to its summit. The bank is 14ft. across and 1ft. high, the ditch, to its E., 14ft. across and about 1 1/2ft. deep; 3 yds. beyond the N. end of the bank is an irregular mound, not a barrow, 20ft. across and 2 1/2ft. high. Level with the N. end of the bank the ditch is shallower and turns sharply eastwards for some 20 yds., running under a stone field wall before being lost in very disturbed ground. It may be related to the Celtic field system on the hill-top (SY 68 NW 106) but there is no visible connection. <1> Also visible as a linear earthwork bank and ditch on aerial photographs <2>, running in a north-south orientation for approximately 58 metres in length. This site was digitally plotted during the South Dorset Ridgeway Mapping Project.

Record last edited

Jun 24 2022 3:05PM