Monument record MDO3844 - Prehistoric field system on Fontmell Down, Fontmell Magna

Remnants of a prehistoric field system are visible on aerial photographs of Fontmell Down. In places the field system is overlain by medieval fields.

Air photographs show 'Celtic' fields at the top of the escarpment in Fontmell Magna, between ST 877167 and ST 887165 on either side of the old Blandford-Shaftesbury Road. A few lynchets survive on the upper slopes of the spur immediately south of Littlecombe Bottom (ST 881168). To the south further remains are detectable on Sutton Hill, between ST 877157 and ST 892157, and on the steep slope overlooking Combe Bottom at ST 874158 some contour strip lynchets remain. <3> Formerly visible remains of 'Celtic' fields along the top of Fontmell Magna escarpement, centred ST 882166, and in the area adjoining the old Blandford Shaftesbury road (ST 885166) have now been destroyed by modern agriculture. Poorly defined medieval type contour strip lynchets, average 1.5m high and 5.0m wide extend for about 250.0m around the high ground of a small north facing spur at ST 88151675. An overall assessment of this area is prevented by a dense ground cover of scrub and bramble. Lynchet remains in the Sutton Hill area have also been denuded by modern ploughing, and are now insignificant. At ST 88401565 'Celtic' field remnants are represented by scarps up to 0.7m high. The steep north west facing slope overlooking Combe Bottom exhibits the best field system remains of 'Celtic' and Medieval date. An area centred ST 87551570 of about 3 ha contains well defined scarps up to 0.8m high, of probable Iron Age/Romano-British rectilinear fields, which angle across the hill slope. Staggered corner angles of Celtic fields occur at ST 87651570 along the margin of modern ploughland, which now covers Sutton Hill. ST 87201570-ST 87651610 Extending intermittently for about 600.0m along the lower slope of the combe side are Medieval type contour strip lynchets of average 2.5m high, and 5.0m wide. Some of the terraces have slumped due to animal burrowing. The general condition is fair. Cross-banks and lynchets visible on OS air photographs. <4> A small block of the field system at ST877167 was considered by MPPA for scheduling in July 2000. The lynchets are preserved to 1.0m high, but no complete fields could be traced since this part of the system lies in an area of permanent pasture and scrub. It is a SSSI and nature reserve, it has not been recommended for scheduling. <5>

Record last edited

Sep 21 2022 3:40PM