Monument record MDO2539 - Iron Age settlement on Grimston Down, Stratton

The excavation for a reservoir on Grimstone Down in 1950 at SY 64629530 revealed that the earthworks were of lynchet construction rather than the remains of deliberately constructed banks. The only internal feature observed was a small shallow pit (or trench?) near the centre of the east face of the excavation, which contained pottery sherds. The majority of sherds, however, were found in the excavation spoil and appeared to be all of Iron Age 'C' type with the exception of a few Iron Age 'A' and possibly 'B' sherds. About 40 yds from the south-east corner of the reservoir, the pumping-main trench sectioned what appeared to be an ancient trackway from the settlement, running a few yards west of, and parallel to the modern trace to Jackman's Cross. <1>

A settlement on Grimstone Down consisting of traces of Celtic fields covering more than 100 acres. Towards the centre of the area, the fields become more clearly defined and between the field banks several hollowed tracks converge on a series of smaller enclosures; these show no traces of dwellings but probably represent the position of the main settlement (see plan). To the east of the dyke (SY 69 NW 39) are further remains of a Celtic field system extending some distance to the south. <2>

Centred SY 646955. As described. In the area are two enclosures and possibly part of others consisting of low banks without ditches, and converging field ways. An enclosure at SY 64629534 has been destroyed by the construction of a reservoir. Iron Age/Romano-British type field systems are visible in the following areas:

At SY 659959; SY 645950 and SY 655952 are pronounced lynchets and field banks forming rectilinear fields. At SY 663955 low, isolated contour following lynchets occur. Pronounced lynchets and field banks forming rectilinear fields with indications of superimposed cultivation of unknown date are visible at SY 652957. Exceptionally well preserved lynchets and low field banks forming rectilinear fields with a field way on the west and south sides also occur at SY 645957. Low lynchets and field banks at SY 642962 and SY 658961 are also visible. <3>

SY 64719552. Late Romano-British pottery was found during 1969-70 in material brought to the surface of a trench dug for repairing the water-main on Grimstone Down. The trench revealed at one point, a layer of flint which coincided with field banks, still intact to the north and south. Three hundred sherds of Romano-British coarse ware, two sherds of New Forest ware, twenty-one nails and a small fragment of roof-tile were found embedded in the surface of the flint layer. No evidence of earlier occupation was found below the layer and it was suggested that the flint represented the scattering of an earlier field bank in the 4th century by Romano-British occupation. <5>

The only available air photograph cover shows the settlement area and northern part of the well defined 'Celtic' field system around SY 645960. <7>

The field system on top of Grimstone Down remains in good condition (see plan). The turf covered flint banks average 0.6m. High and 3.0m. Wide with the trackways up to 1.3m. Deep in Grimstone Down Plantation (SY 648954). To the north and north-east there are only scant remains while on Stratton Down to the east at SY 654954 lynchets are visible to a height of 1.3m. And are clear on Aps (a). On the south-east and south the arable fields show little of the early field system. Revised at 1:2500 on MSD. <8>

<1> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1951, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1950, 88-89 (Serial). SDO50.

<2> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments England, 1952, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume I (West), 229 (Monograph). SDO97.

(11) Celtic Settlement, on Grimstone Down in the N. part of the parish, consists of traces of Celtic fields covering more than 100 acres. They extend to the edge of the parish on the N., on the S. to the southern of Grimstone Clumps, on the E. into Grim-stone Coppice and on the W. to near Langford Gate. Towards the middle of the area the fields become more clearly defined and between the field-banks several hollowed tracks converge on a series of smaller enclosures; these, though they show no traces of dwellings, no doubt represent the position of the main settlement. The smaller enclosures include a small rhomboidal one with an entrance on the W. and a possible entrance on the E. and a larger enclosure adjoining the smaller and having an entrance on the N.; the bank is turned inwards on either side of the entrance and there are traces of a hollowed track through the enclosure. The S. end of the group has been much destroyed but traces survive of a third small enclosure and about 100 yards to the S. of two small enclosures.
To the N. of Lawyer's Plantation, N.E. of Grimstone Down, is a dyke and beyond it to the E. are further remains of a Celtic field-system; this system extended some distance to the S. The dyke, above mentioned, extends across the ridge and the ditch at its best preserved point is 13 ft. wide and 1¾ ft. deep; there are remains of a bank on the S.W. about 11 ft. wide and 1 ft. high and traces also of a bank to the N.E. which, however, appears to be no part of the original work.

<3> Swatridge, G C, Various, Field Investigators Comments GCS, F1 GCS 27-JAN-55 (Unpublished document). SWX1169.

<4> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1963, Monuments Threatened or Destroyed. A Select List: 1956-1962, 15 (Monograph). SDO12558.

‘GRIMSTONE DOWN [SY 646957] Iron Age or Romano-British settlement area of approximately 15 acres; extensive spread of ‘Celtic’ fields in vicinity. (R.C.H.M., West Dorset, Stratton, Monument 11.)’

<5> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1972, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1971, 156-157 (Serial). SDO71.

<6> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey 1:10,000 scale map, 1974 (Map). SDO17396.

(Centred SY 644956) Settlement (NR)

<7> Royal Air Force, 09-MAR-1948, RAF/CPE/UK/2475 4125-28 (Aerial Photograph). SDO20480.

<8> Attrill, N J, Field Investigators Comments NJA, F2 NJA 12-JAN-81 (Unpublished document). SDO14743.

<9> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, Externally held archive: RCH01/088 RCHME Inventory: Dorset I (West) and Revision (Unpublished document). SDO17367.

<10> Historic England, Historic England Archive (Index). SDO14738.

<11> Historic England, Historic England Archive (Index). SDO14738.

<12> National Record of the Historic Environment, 453182 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Jan 23 2024 3:30PM