Monument record MDO737 - Deserted settlement, Cerne Abbas

Earthworks over an area of some 8 acres between the main road and the river. The remains consist of a series oif variably-sized rectangular enclosures to the east and west of a trackway and bounded to the south by a sunken roadway.

Earthworks, 100 yards south of the Tithe Barn (ST 60 SE 46) occupy an area of nearly 8 acres between the main road and the river. They consist of a series of rectangular enclosures of varying size to the east and west of a trackway, and bounded on the south by a sunk roadway. At the north end of the track, on the east side, is a circular sinking 18ft in diameter with vestiges of an outer bank. <1> The earthworks, typical of Medieval village depopulation are centred at ST 663009, and are as described by the RCHM <1>. The sunken roadway is 6.0m wide and 1.7m deep, the accompanying banks are 5.0m wide and 0.3m high. The track running north from it is of lesser proportions. It is bordered on the east by five embanked rectangular enclosures of varying size. There are no traces of house platforms. The circular hollow, at ST 66310093, is of no importance. Published 1:2500 survey revised. <2> Manuscript annotations to the DHER record card note: "Still visible on 1974 DCC Aps" and "Visited Autumn 1983, by LJK + MS. The site is in good condition and under grass. The hollow way is still well preserved. M. 1983". <3>

Record last edited

Nov 23 2022 4:45PM