Monument record MDO3525 - Prehistoric field system, Ashmore

The evidence has been destroyed by modern farming techniques. The mounds have often been called barrows in past accounts as there seem to be four of them. Modern thinking is that these are not the remains of Bronze Age Round Barrows but are infact the remains of 'Celtic' field systems.

Group of four small barrows, marked on map, are almost invisible. <1>

<1> Grinsell, L V, 1959, Dorset Barrows (Monograph). SDO132.

<2> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1972, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume IV (North), 120 (Monograph). SDO99.

'GROUP (78): ASHMORE. Evidence of 'Celtic' fields survives both N. and S. of the village. On the slopes of the combe head above Boyne Bottom (905185), near the N. edge of the parish, are at least four large 'Celtic' fields; they measure up to 130 yds. by 80 yds. and are defined by low lynchets. Air photographs suggest traces of other fields, now ploughed flat, adjacent to and S. of the village at 911172 and 910166. The lyncheted angles of 'Celtic' fields, much reduced by ploughing and in the past mistaken for barrows, survive on the spur immediately N. of Well Bottom (916167). Air photography: CPE/UK 1811: 1078-9; CPE/UK 2038: 4073-7; N.M.R. ST 9018/1-3'.

<3> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1972, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume IV (North), 3 (Monograph). SDO99.

'A group of four small mounds N. of Well Bottom (91631670 centre), which Watson thought were barrows, are probably the remains of the lynchetted angles of 'Celtic' fields elsewhere destroyed by more recent cultivation. '

Record last edited

Feb 22 2023 12:30PM