Monument record MDO3931 - Prehistoric field system, Hanford

An extensive prehistoric field system visible as slight earthworks and cropmarks on aerial photographs. Earthwork remains of later prehistoric fields on the south and south-west sides of, and adjacent to, Hambledon Hill. In places they are overlain by strip lynchets of probable medieval date. The Hambledon Hill earthworks were surveyed by RCHME in 1996.

Traces of 'Celtic' fields, totalling 12 acres, remain adjacent to the hillfort on Hambledon Hill. On the south west spur the fields have almost been destroyed by strip and later ploughing (ST 843121 to ST 844121) but one lynchet survives, 8ft high, north of this (ST 841122) There are banks down the slope forming at least three fields, the smallest coverering 1/2 acre and the largest 1 3/4 acres. The fields below the north west limb of the hillfort (ST 842 130) were probably laid out before the final enlargement of the defences, but they appear to have been adapted to continued cultivation. There are further traces east of the north east entrance to the hillfort. <1> ST 843121 to ST 844121 Two low strip lynchets circa 1.0m high and 25.0m apart run for 150.0m along the contour. The upper lynchet abuts a field corner, defined by a 0.5m high scarp, to the west. ST 842123 A strong lynchet, 2.5m high, with a 5.0m wide tread, lies across the shoulder. A low bank, about 3.0m wide and 0.5m high, and two scarps run down the slope. Parallel striations, on the RAF air photographs, between them suggest strip ploughing, but there are no visible traces on the ground. ST 842130 Two scarps truncated by chalk pits lie along the contour, on a very steep slope immediately below the hill-fort. The upper scarp, about 3.0m high, abuts a field angle to the West, which is overlain by the outer-most rampart of the hillfort. The lower scarp is weaker about 2m high. ST 844130 Two low spread banks, about 4.0m wide and 0.5m high, run down the slope. <2> (ST 842 123 - 846 122) The field system around the N end of the hill may be contemporary but appears to be separate, and was assigned a new number (ST 81 SW 65) to enhance the record

Record last edited

Nov 15 2023 4:59PM