Monument record MDO7915 - Studland Circles
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Summary
A group of seventy-one enigmatic circles (for six similar circles at SZ 021843 see SZ 08 SW 51) occur on the heath of south Haven peninsula, west of the ferry road. Most have single banks about 1ft high and 9ft-27ft across forming rather irregular circles; the interiors are slightly dished but are almost all horizontal. Diameters between the crests vary from 36ft - 125ft and ten circles have narrow gaps in them. One or two circles with relatively deep interiors may have been ponds but the function and date of the remainder is unknown. The group is associated with thirteen low sandy mounds but these have also defied explanation and in the centre of the peninsula is a straight line of five regularly placed stones (shown on OS 6" 1963), originally standing upright, with a sixth to the north west of the line.
Map
Type and Period (1)
Full Description
Sources/Archives (4)
- --- SDO147 Index: Papworth, M D J, Trust for Wessex Archaeology. 1983. Isle of Purbeck Survey. Form AM107.
- --- SDO17157 Unpublished document: Bellamy, P. 2011. Studland Circles: interim report on sample excavation of Circle SH10.
- --- SDO17158 Unpublished document: Bellamy, P. 2008. Baseline Survey of Earthworks on Studland Peninsula, Dorset.
- --- SWX3353 Article in serial: Bowen, H C and Fowler, P J. 1963. Earthwork Circles and Mounds on Studland Heath, Dorset. Vol 37.
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (10)
- Parent of: Banked circles, Studland (Monument) (MWX863)
- Parent of: Circular enclosure, Godlingston Heath, Studland (Monument) (MDO30994)
- Parent of: Circular enclosure, Studland Heath, north west of Greenlands Farm, Studland (Monument) (MDO29094)
- Parent of: Circular enclosure, Studland Heath, south east of Greenland, Studland (Monument) (MDO29093)
- Parent of: Circular enclosure, Studland Heath, Studland (Monument) (MDO47634)
- Parent of: OS51 STUDLAND CIRCLES (Monument) (MDO7917)
- Parent of: OS51 Studland Circles, Studland Heath, east of Greenland, Studland (Monument) (MDO7916)
- Parent of: Saltern: Ring Banks or Studland circle, Saltern, Studland (Monument) (MWX3117)
- Parent of: Studland Circles, Studland Heath, east of Greenland, Studland (Monument) (MDO7918)
- Parent of: Studland Circles, Studland Heath, Studland (Monument) (MWX827)
Related Events/Activities (4)
Location
| Grid reference | SZ 0270 8560 (point) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | SZ08NW |
| Civil Parish | Studland; Dorset |
| Unitary Authority | Dorset |
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Other Statuses/References
- Legacy UID: Dorset Sites and Monuments Record: 6 019 043 A
- Legacy UID: National Monuments Record: SZ 08 NW 14
Record last edited
Jun 21 2021 1:21PM
