Monument record MDO5612 - Neolithic Long barrow on Thickthorn Down, Gussage St Michael

A Neolithic long barrow on Thickthorn Down, located on the crest of the ridge between the Gussage and Crichel valleys. Aligned roughly southeast-northwest, it lies immediately southeast of the Dorset Cursus and is clearly associated with it. In 1975 the monument was described as having a well-preserved mound 145 feet long, 60 feet wide and 8 feet high, within a distinct U-shaped ditch 25 feet wide which surrounds three sides of the mound, being open to the southeast. The barrow shares the same alignment, but is not directly aligned upon, the terminal of the cursus. A Neolithic flint axe has however been found on the surface of a disturbed area on the barrow's western flank see MDO5656.

(ST 97031238) Long Barrow (NR). <2> A long barrow situated on Thickthorn Down on the crest of the ridge between the Gussage and Crichel valleys. Aligned SE to NW, it lies a few yards SE of the Cursus (SU 01 NW 91) and is clearly associated with it. The well-preserved mound is 145ft long, 60ft across and 8ft high. It stands within a ditch 25ft across and up to 3ft deep, which is U-shaped in plan and open to the SE. <4> A roughly finished later Neolithic flint axe or adze was found on the surface of a disturbed area on the west flank of the barrow. It may have come from a secondary deposit in the barrow. <5> Barrett et al (1991) <6> point out that the cursus here "is unusual in lacking the squared-off end normal on this type of monument. Instead, the end bank of the Cursus runs at an oblique angle to the sides, and since this is not demanded by the topography it may be a deliberate design feature, intended to link the southern end of the Cursus to the axis of an existing monument". They also argue that the disproportionately large terminal bank may have been deliberate intended to imitate the general appearance of this long barrow and another a short distance to the south (ST 91 SE 23), although the curious misalignment of all three features remains unexplained. There is no record of any excavation. A Neolithic flint axe has however been found on the surface of a disturbed area on the barrow's western flank [Note; ie MDO5656].

Record last edited

May 17 2024 11:15AM