Monument record MDO2840 - Eggardon Hiil, prehistoric dyke

A dyke on the W edge of the parish, 50 yards SW of (SY 59 SW 27) extends across a low ridge for about 80 yards in a well defined state
and can be traced for a further 130 yards. It consists of a bank with a ditch on the SE side; the bank raised 3 ft above the bottom of the ditch. There are traces of a cultivation system, perhaps of celtic origin, in the immediate neighbourhood. <2>

[SY 54809425 to SY 54949440]. This grass covered bank and ditch extends for a total of 200.0m down the E slope of a ridge. On the same alignment across the ridge is a modern field bank but no evidence of antiquity. The bank averages 3.0m wide and 0.3m deep. The first 45.0m are in fairly good condition, but for 100.0m thereafter the earthwork is mutilated by tracks and surface diggings. During the last 55.0m of descent the bank and ditch fades gradually.

There is no visible evidence by which the earthwork can be dated. It may possibly be connected with the Iron Age/Romano British field
system as inferred in Authy 1; but whether of that period or comparatively modern, it appears to be no more than a form of field
boundary. Visible on AP. <1> <3>

Cross Ridge Dykes were recorded as individual momuments in Authy 1 but recent work by the Royal Commissions investigators suggest that dykes such as this should be treated as a group, in this case centred around Compton Abbas (now West Compton) (see also SY 59 SW 24, 31, 32 and SY 59 SE 6). Their arcuate disposition suggests that they were boundaries, possible of territorial significance. Celtic field fragments (SY 59 SE 4) lie on either side of the dyke, the field sides roughly aligned with it.

Dyke in formerly disturbed pasture exists as earthwork NE from road for 700 ft to the natural edge on the 700 ft contour. It is well
preserved for 200 ft from the road (this 200 ft length to be scheduled). <4>

SY 548942. Dyke SE of Eggardon Hill Camp. Scheduled. <5>

Bank and ditched linear feature, 200m long, possibly a defensive dyke or field boundary of prehistoric origin. The site is visible as earthworks on aerial photographs <1> on the north-east facing slopes to the south-east Of Eggardon Hill.

<1> Royal Air Force, 22-JAN-1948, RAF/CPE/UK/2451 4152-3 (Aerial Photograph). SDO11411.

<2> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments England, 1952, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume I (West), 99-100 (Monograph). SDO97.

<3> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 25-MAY-55 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<4> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, Unpublished revision RCHME Dorset I (West) Undated (Compton Abbas file) (Unpublished document). SDO20070.

<4.1> Bowen, H C, Letter & Notes on Visit with David Sherlock IAM on 18.06.70 (H C Bowen 25.06.70) (Unpublished document). SDO19800.

<5> Department of the Environment, 1978, Department of the Environment (IAM) Ancient Monuments of England (Vol 2), 80 (Monograph). SWX1687.

<6> National Record of the Historic Environment, 451433 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Nov 13 2023 1:53PM