SDO16573 - Mount Pleasant, West Stafford, Dorset. Report on Geophyisical Surveys, March and August 2019

Caesium magnetometer and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys were conducted at Mount Pleasant, West Stafford,Dorset to address a casework request received from the Heritage at Risk Team in Planning Group South West to map the extent and state of preservation of the main henge and ancillary scheduled monuments. The large henge enclosure comprises a ditch and outer bank defining an irregular sub-oval area situated in two arable fields, and was investigated through a previous geophysical surveys and excavation undertaken between 1969- 71 together with subsequent extensive analysis of aerial photography. Vehicletowed caesium magnetometer survey (21.5ha) revealed a wealth of geophysical anomalies that enhance known evidence from the site, including a barrow cemetery to the south east of the henge. The GPR coverage (17.9ha) indicated the depth of the deposits at the site and, in addition to complementing the anomalies identified by the magnetic survey, also identified historic plough scours in the underlying chalk in the south west quadrant of the main henge. The geophysical survey results confirm the survival of known monuments to assist with the ongoing management of the site, and supports suggestions for additional entrances to the henge together with a partial inner palisade to the north west.