Monument record MDO7327 - Iron age settlement and shale working site on Knowle Hill, Church Knowle

Iron Age settlement enclosure on Smedmore Hill with evidence of occupational material, including much evidence for the working of Kimmerdge shale. Excavation located a house site and shale jewellery, possibly made on the site. The enclosure is formed by cross ridge dykes. To the north the cross ridge dykes are joined by a bank 1.5m wide and an outer ditch 3m wide.

SY 93568224. An Iron Age 'A' settlement lies on Knowle Hill within an area of 4 1/2 acres between cross-ridge dykes (see SW 98 SW 13.1 and 13.2), extensions of which towards each other on the north suggest an intention to enclose the whole area. Excavations were carried out in 1956-7 by the RCHME on the largest one of a number of ill-defined scoops which cover one acre on the north shoulder of the hill (see 'X' on plan). It consisted of a roughly circular depression about 24 feet across, dug into the hill slope to a depth of 3 1/2 feet on the uphill side with a flat floor about 11 feet across. In the floor were four post-holes, probably roof supports. Finds included Iron Age 'A' pottery, Kimmeridge shale bracelets and animal bones, and indicated an economy based upon cattle, and also on shale-working. A mound (SY 98 SW 12) may be associated with the settlement. Undated ditched banks up to 24 feet across and 2 feet high, running up the north slope of the ridge, are of uncertain purpose, although such banks are occasionally found in similar relationship to hill-forts. The arrangement of dykes (SY 98 SW 4, 15 and 48) to the east and west of those enclosing the settlement suggests pastoral usage. <1-2> SY 935824. Cross ridge dykes, mound and settlement on Knowle Hill. Scheduled Dorset 708. Protected by preservation order. <3> This settlement site occupies an exposed position on the highest part of Knowle Hill and enjoys panoramic views, especially to the north and south. The area has been regularly ploughed in the pastbut now lies under rough pasture. The scoops and depressions surveyed by the RCHM <2> can be traced but they have, along with the cross-ridge dyke to the east, been so spread by the plough as to now be quite amorphous. A larger scale survey than 1:2500 undertaken in ideal conditions would be required to adequately portray the surviving surface remainsof this settlement. No survey action at 1:2500. <4>

Record last edited

Oct 24 2023 11:06AM