Monument record MDO2599 - Enclosure on South Field Hill, Sydling St Nicholas

A bank described as forming a near circular enclosure, and other earthworks, interpreted as the remains of a settlement of probable prehistoric date. A curvilinear double-banked linear earthwork and other less distinct linear earthworks and scarps are visible as earthworks and soilmarks on aerial photographs and were digitally plotted during the Upper Frome AIM project.

A curvilinear double-banked linear earthwork and other less distinct linear earthworks and scarps are visible as earthworks and soilmarks on aerial photographs to the south of South Field Barn on South Field Hill and were digitally plotted during the Upper Frome AIM project (2, 3). The double banks of the linear are approximately 3m wide, either side of an internal ditch approximately 2.5m wide. It is of irregular curvilinear form and extends east to west across the field. To the southeast is a very faintly defined scarped linear earthwork on a southwest to northeast axis, which appears to run beneath a historic field boundary. Both linear earthworks are recorded on the OS 1st Edition map (5). Less certain are several possible banked linears and a curvilinear bank or scarp, visible as indistinct soilmarks on the south side of the southern field boundary and potentially underlying this. These features, if real, may be associated with the earthworks to the north and east but may alternatively be part of a wider area of a late prehistoric field system of Iron Age/Romano-British date (MDO42859; NRHE453068). (Centred SY 625977) British Settlement (NR) (1) (SY 625977) Earthwork (NR) (2) Earthworks in a small field on South Field Hill consist of a bank, and ditch, mounds and hollows. The ditch extends for circa 130 yards and has the remains of a bank on the north side. Another ditch or hollow way crosses the south-east angle of the field, and along the south boundary of the field is part of a circular bank, 48ft diameter. Further west are two circular depressions probably pit-hollows, and traces of others. There are remains of a 'celtic' field system on South Field Hill (SY 69 NW 20) (possibly associated with the earthworks). (3) The earthworks are situated on a hill top, under pasture, with land falling to the east and west. From SY 62429772 to SY 62559774 is a ditch ('A') averaging 7.0m wide by 0.6m deep with a bank to the north, 5.0m wide by 0.6m deep with a bonk to the north, 5.0m wide by 0.3m high which has the appearance of a covered way shielded from the north; another ditch ('B') without an outer bank extends from SY 6259770 to SY 62569764. Shapeless hollows and mounds occur within the area bounded by the ditches. A near-circular enclosure ('C') comprising an outer bank 15.0m diameter by 0.3m high is situated at SY 62529764 but seems too large for a hut-circle. The interior is slightly below the external ground level and the southern portion of the bank has been destroyed by a hedgerow. Lowering of the bank occurs in the north-east to north-west. (4) The ditch or covered way 'A' is clearly defined on air photographs and appears to extend further west across the field to SY 62349773. The ditch 'B' is also visible but the circular enclosure 'C' cannot be traced. (5) The two presumed hollow ways are as described by Authorities 3 and 4 and as depicted on the OS 25" 1959. The area is currently under pasture and apart from slight indulations there are no remains of field system or settlement, save for the circular `enclosure' C, at SY 62529764 which appears to be a fairly large hut. This has an internal diameter of 9.5m, with a bank 3.0m wide and 0.3m high. A distinct lowering of the bank in the NE appears to be an entrance. Revised at 1:2500 on M.S.D. (6)

Record last edited

Apr 13 2022 10:31AM