Monument record MDO6696 - Historic field boundaries at South Buckland, Weymouth

Field boundaries of medieval or later date, visible as earthworks on aerial photographs. Previously interpreted as a Roman enclosure.

Centred at SY 66008178 in a dominant position on slightly sloping ground at the north-east end of a ridge, is a roughly-rectangular enclosure formed by a single bank and ditch. The ditch lies outside the bank on all sides except the south-east. There are two or three narrow gaps on the south-east side but the only apparently original entrance is at the west corner. The enclosure measures 150m. by 90m. approximately overall. The north-west side extends for some 25m. beyond the west corner where it ends abruptly. The bank and ditch is 0.5m. wide and the bank is 0.5m in height. The enclosure is overlaid in part by a hedge system, but not on exactly the same alignment. The enclosure is unusual but it is probably pastoral and of relatively late date. The field is at present under rough pasture. Discovered on field investigations. <1> The site that was previously interpreted as a possible Romano British rectangular enclosure is clearly visible on aerial photographs <2>. It appears to be formed of medieval or post medieval field boundaries which are visible as extant hedges on the photographs. Despite not being considered an antiquity, the site was digitally plotted during the South Dorset Ridgeway Mapping Project.

Record last edited

Jun 28 2022 10:54AM